Vidal signs for Bayern
July 28, 2015
Bayern Munich has confirmed the signing of Chile midfielder Arturo Vidal from Juventus on a four-year deal, for a reported fee of 36 million euros ($39.6 million).
Vidal arrived in Munich late Monday night, before completing his medical on Tuesday. "I am very happy," read the 28-year-old's statement on the club's website. "This is a new step in my career and I hope to do well here. I want to support the team and win titles."
Bayern's Sporting Director Matthias Sammer highlighted some of the reasons why the club spent big on the midfielder: "He is a guy who likes to win and has an excellent mentality. He'll be good for us with his strength in one-on-ones, his eye for goal and his flexibility."
The midfielder's first move to German football came after a strong showing at the U20 FIFA World Cup prompted Bayer Leverkusen to pay a national record transfer fee to Chilean club Colo-Colo for Vidal's services. After four years in the Bundesliga, Vidal moved to Italian champions Juventus in 2011 in a deal worth around 10.5 million euros. In Italy, Vidal won four league championships and helped the Old Lady reach the Champions League final last season.
Internationally, Vidal has also enjoyed success. A star member of Chile's team, Vidal lifted the country's first ever Copa America in 2015, overcoming a troubling car crash to perform well in the final. So far in his international career, the midfielder has 69 international caps.
Back in Germany
For two seasons at Leverkusen, Vidal worked under the guidance of Jupp Heynckes before the head coach's move to Bayern Munich in 2011. The 71-year-old admitted in an interview with German magazine "kicker" that he wanted to bring Vidal to Munich upon his arrival - but the Chilean chose Juve.
"Arturo isn't just limited to the defense; he also gives an impetus going forward, so there aren't many players like that," explained Heynckes to German magazine Kicker. "He is an excellent ball-winner, scarily tenacious in duels, a strong runner and a tough tackler. He has a special battling style."
However, Heynckes warned Bayern that Vidal can be slow to put on the brakes when tackling and that will need to be controlled under Guardiola.
Vidal is Bayern's fourth major signing this summer following the arrival of Sven Ulreich, Joshua Kimmich and Douglas Costa. Bayern Munich has now spent a total of 77 million euros in the transfer market this summer.
rd/jh (AFP, dpa)