Matthijs de Ligt: Bayern Munich sign Juventus defender for £65.6m

 

De Ligt became the youngest player ever, aged 17 years and 285 days old, to play in a major European final when he started against Manchester United in the 2017 UEFA Europa League final

Bayern Munich have signed the Netherlands defender Matthijs de Ligt from Juventus on a five-year contract in a deal worth 77m euros (£65.6m).

De Ligt joined Juventus from Ajax on a five-year contract in July 2019 and spent three seasons with the 36-time Serie A champions.

The 22-year-old won one Serie A title and one Coppa Italia in 117 appearances in Turin.

"I'm very happy to become a player for this great club," said De Ligt.

"FC Bayern is one of the most successful clubs in Germany, one of the most successful clubs in Europe and in the world."

"I felt the genuine appreciation from the sporting management, the coach and the board right from the start, which convinced me. On top of that, it is a brilliantly run club with big aims.

"I'm very glad that I'm now becoming part of the FC Bayern story."

Bayern's transfer record is the 80m euros (£68m) paid to Atletico Madrid for defender Lucas Hernandez in 2019.

Wanted by Chelsea, De Ligt became the second Dutch international to join Bayern this summer after midfielder Ryan Gravenberch's transfer to the club.

Bayern have also bought Sadio Mane from Liverpool and right-back Noussair Mazraoui from Ajax, while striker Robert Lewandowski has signed for Barcelona in a deal worth 50m euros (£42.6m).