Bayern Munich sign Dutch defender De Ligt until 2027

DPAMunichBundesliga champions Bayern Munich have bolstered their defence with the signing of Dutch international Matthijs de Ligt on a five-year contract."I’m very happy to become a player for this great club,” de Ligt said. "I felt the genuine appreciation from the sporting management, the coach and the board right from the start, which convinced me.” De Ligt, 22, arrives from Italian side Juventus and was on his way immediately to join his new team in the United States where Bayern are scheduled to play DC United in Washington on Wednesday and English champions Manchester City at the weekend in Green Bay.He flew to Washington together with technical director Marco Neppe after completing the mandatory medical as board member for sport Hasan Salihamidzic told Sky TV."We wanted to bring Matthijs to Munich three years ago; we were already convinced by his qualities as a defender back then, and today we’re even more so,” Salihamidzic said.The centre-back cost Munich euros 67 million ($68.61 million) payable in four financial years plus ?10 million in add-ons, Juventus said in a statement.De Ligt is now Bayern’s most expensive purchase after defender Lucas Hernández ($80 million).He was at Juve since 2019 and had a contract there until 2024. At international level, de Ligt has 38 senior caps for the Netherlands and two goals.Despite his young age, de Ligt is a team leader and is expected to give Bayern more defensive stability they have been lacking since the departure of David Alaba to Real Madrid last year.Bayern CEO Oliver Khan praised the new member of the team’s defensive line, saying, "A strong team doesn’t just require a strong attack, and with this signing we’re really raising our defence to the top level.” De Ligt joins Senegal star Sadio Mane and fellow Dutchmen Noussair Mazraoui and Ryan Gravenberch as new Munich players.While de Ligt was on his way to Washington, left behind Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka said on Instagram his knee operation the previous day in Innsbruck, Austria, to remove an "abnormality” has gone well."Yesterday’s operation in Innsbruck was successful and I am feeling very good after the initial shock,” he said. "I will give it my all to be back on the pitch as soon as possible and am upbeat not to miss too much.” It is not known how long Goretzka will be out of action.Bayern’s first official game is the German Super Cup against RB Leipzig next week Saturday, July 30.