Bayern Munich have completed their first big transfer of the offseason by signing Brazil international Douglas Costa from Shakhtar Donetsk for €30 million (Dh121m).
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The fleet-footed winger or striker has signed a five-year deal with the German champions and will battle for a place on the left wing with Franck Ribery, who is struggling with a persistent ankle injury.
“This is a dream come true for me. I’m looking forward to joining an awesome team,” Costa said. “I will do everything I can to meet the expectations put on me.”
Costa is the fourth most expensive signing in Bayern’s history after Javi Martinez (who cost €40m), Mario Gotze (€37m) and Mario Gomez (€35m).
#FCBayern wrap up @douglascosta signing! Read more info at http://t.co/d4COgLwQmi pic.twitter.com/T0bTDrb1j7
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) July 1, 2015
“Douglas Costa will be a good addition to our squad, he has good technical skills, a strong left foot and is extremely quick,” said director of sport Matthias Sammer.
The 24-year-old is on holiday now until the Bayern team is presented on July 11, and was only a spectator as head coach Pep Guardiola oversaw Bayern’s first training session to prepare for the new season with only 12 players available and most of his stars still on vacation.
Costa made the last of his nine appearances for the Selecao in their Copa America quarter-final defeat to Chile last week, missing a spot-kick as Brazil suffered a 4-3 defeat in a penalty shoot-out when it finished 1-1 after extra time.
He is Bayern’s third signing ahead of the new season after Germany Under-21 midfielder Joshua Kimmich from second-division RB Leipzig and goalkeeper Sven Ulreich from VfB Stuttgart.
Meanwhile, Sammer admits that Bastian Schweinsteiger’s future remains unclear amid rumours linking him to Manchester United.
The 30-year-old Germany captain has a year left on his contract and having collected eight Bundesliga winners medals in 13 seasons, he is one of the top earners at the Bavarian giants.
Bayern’s vice-captain recently said he is relishing the prospect of trying to win an historic fourth consecutive league title next season, which would be a first for any Bundesliga club. But British media claim Louis van Gaal’s United are set to swoop for the midfielder.
“Basically, nothing is excluded,” said Sammer. “It’s a crazy world. He has clearly expressed that he is an important part of the team, but let’s see. We’re still waiting.”
