Bayern Munich has officially announced the signing of Portuguese international Raphaël Guerreiro from Borussia Dortmund on a free transfer.
The 29-year-old versatile defender has signed a three-year contract with the Bundesliga champions and will join the team when his contract with Dortmund expires at the end of the month.
Guerreiro spent seven years at Borussia Dortmund, making 224 appearances, scoring 40 goals, and providing 50 assists. He won two German Cups and one German Super Cup during his time at Signal Iduna Park. The left-back was also part of the Portugal national team that won the European Championship in 2016 and the UEFA Nations League in 2019.
#ServusRapha 👋
— FC Bayern München (@FCBayern) June 23, 2023
Ablösefreier Neuzugang: #FCBayern nimmt Raphaël Guerreiro unter Vertrag. 🔴⚪
The signing of Guerreiro is expected to bolster Bayern Munich’s defensive options, as the player can also operate as a left-sided forward and midfielder. Bayern Munich head coach Thomas Tuchel is familiar with Guerreiro from their time together at Dortmund, and the player’s versatility is expected to be a significant asset for the team.
Guerreiro’s decision to join Bayern Munich after turning down a two-year contract extension from Borussia Dortmund has been deemed controversial. The player had attracted interest from several clubs across Europe, including Premier League sides Newcastle United and Aston Villa. However, Guerreiro ultimately chose to stay in Germany and join the Bundesliga champions, reuniting with his former coach Tuchel.
Bayern Munich CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen expressed his delight at the signing, stating, “Raphaël Guerreiro has been among the best and most consistent players in the Bundesliga for years. He’s versatile and internationally experienced, and fits perfectly into our team as both a character and player”.
