- Title: SOCCER-GERMANY/BAYERN PRESSER Bayern present new squad in front of 70,000 fans
- Date: 11th July 2015
- Summary: MUNICH, GERMANY (JULY 11, 2015) (REUTERS) WIDE OF ALLIANZ ARENA STADIUM FORWARD DOUGLAS COSTA ENTERING STADIUM COSTA TALKING WITH MIDFIELDER HOEJBERG GOALKEEPER SVEN ULREICH POSING FORWARD THOMAS MUELLER ENTERING PITCH MIDFIELDER FRANCK RIBERY AND DEFENDER DAVID ALABA POSING FORWARD THIAGO ALCANTARA ENTERING PITCH PHOTOGRAPHERS PLAYERS POSING MIDFIELDERS ARJEN ROBBEN AND M
- Embargoed: 26th July 2015 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Germany
- Country: Germany
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVA4DE5PD6EF98HS8DEC5POU8K6F
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Bayern Munich's squad presentation for the 2015-16 season on Saturday (July 11) was overshadowed by news that Germany midfielder and captain Bastian Schweinsteiger was to leave the club after reaching a deal with Manchester United.
A World Cup-winner with Germany in Brazil last year, Schweinsteiger came through the youth ranks at Bayern and has spent 13 seasons with the Bavarians, winning the Bundesliga title eight times.
During a glittering career, Schweinsteiger, who made 536 appearances for the club since his debut in 2002, also won seven German Cups and the Champions League in 2013.
Bayern Munich Chief Executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said it was sad news but admitted he understood the reasons for the 30 year-old to leave.
"Bastian and I agreed that we would talk after his holiday and this meeting took place yesterday," he told reporters at a news conference.
"I would call it a very responsible and extensive meeting. We talked in very open and honest way and he told me he had thought a lot about it during his holiday and that he wanted to do something new at the end of his career. Then he asked me to respect his wish and find a solution with the club he wants to be transferred to, that is Manchester United."
Rummenigge added: "I feel sorry and I didn't want to hide it. But I understand his decision. Bastian is a player who has earned a lot of merits. He has been with us for 17 years, he followed all the different stages in the club. He has done great things for Bayern. He has won everything you can win with the club, from the Bundesliga and the German Cup, to the triple two years ago when we won the Champions League, the Bundesliga and the Cup. We even won five titles that year. But sometimes we have to part. We will celebrate a big farewell match in Munich to honour him when he leaves."
Schweinsteiger will be the first German to play for United and their second signing of the close-season following the arrival of Netherlands winger Memphis Depay from PSV Eindhoven for a fee of around 30 million euros ($33.5 million).
Coach Pep Guardiola's team now includes new signings Joshua Kimmich and Douglas Costa, who both completed their dream move to the German club.
The Brazilian, who comes from Shakhtar Donetsk on a five-year deal, adds to their midfield.
Asked whether he thought he could find it difficult to adapt, the 24 year old said: "It is going to take me some time, but I am going to try to adapt quickly. I will look for space to score as I do everywhere I go. It won't be different here."
Kimmich, who played for German second-division team RB Leipzig and was due to return to his former club Stuttgart at the end of the season, said he had been very surprised when he received the call from Bayern Munich.
"When you hear from Bayern Munich and you have been told that they want you it is a great honour. I felt very good when Bayern showed their interest. I couldn't believe it as I was playing in second and third league in Leipzig. It is a big joy," he said.
Under coach Pep Guardiola, Bayern strolled to a third straight Bundesliga title last season, and their 25th German league crown overall.
However, they came up short in the Champions League, losing to Guardiola's former club Barcelona, the eventual winners, in the semi-finals.
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