Bayern Munich signal Japan defender Ito in Kompany’s first transfer

Bayern Munich have signed Japan defender Hiroki Ito from Germán rival VfB Stuttgart in a transfer aimed toward bringing in “new power” which might begin a wider overhaul of Bayern’s squad.

Ito joins on a four-year contract, Bayern mentioned Thursday. He’s the primary new signing for Bayern since Vincent Kompany was employed as coach final month instead of Thomas Tuchel.

“We would like hungry gamers who herald new power and Hiroki has all the things we want for: he’s a participant who takes on challenges, overcomes them and retains pushing ahead,” Bayern board member for sport Max Eberl mentioned in an announcement.

The switch charge wasn’t made public however German journal Kicker reported Bayern had met a launch clause for an preliminary €23 million ($25 million) plus doable add-on charges.

The 25-year-old Ito had been with Stuttgart since 2021 and was key to their shock run to second within the Bundesliga this season. Stuttgart completed one place forward of Bayern, who ended the marketing campaign with no trophy for the primary time because the 2011-12 season.

Ito provides depth to a Bayern protection that was ceaselessly depleted by accidents final season and sometimes relied on Eric Dier, who has since left when his mortgage from Tottenham Hotspur ended. Ito sometimes performs within the heart of protection, however can even cowl defensive midfield and left-back roles.

Bayern are additionally signing the 18-year-old Australian winger Nestory Irankunda in a deal that was agreed in November, however solely takes impact subsequent month. Spanish winger Bryan Zaragoza’s switch from Granada has turn into everlasting after an preliminary mortgage spell at Bayern.

Bayer Leverkusen, the group that ran away with the Bundesliga, additionally did enterprise on Thursday, signing Aleix Garcia from Girona the place he was key to his group’s third-place end in LaLiga final season.

The 26-year-old García signed a five-year contract with Leverkusen, the place he joins up with Spanish coach Xabi Alonso.

“Aleix García is a participant with excellent strategic capacity, his passing is extraordinarily correct and he performs with nice imaginative and prescient from holding midfield,” Leverkusen sporting managing director Simon Rolfes mentioned.