Matthijs De Ligt joins Bayern from Juve - 2nd most expensive signing in club history

This article originally appeared on July 17 and has been updated with new information. 

After completing Robert Lewandowski's transfer to Barcelona, Bayern Munich have re-invested the transfer fee. Bayern have signed Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt. Juve will receive €67 million upfront for the 22-year-old Dutch defender, plus €10 million in performance-based add-ons. De Ligt's contract will run until 2027. 

Market Value

M. de Ligt Centre-Back

€70.00m

"It was very simple," Oliver Kahn said when asked at the Bayern US Tour about signing De Ligt. "It was very similar to how it was with Sadio Mané; he thought about it for one or two days; it was the same for Matthijs de Ligt. He was quickly convinced that he wanted to join Bayern Munich, and we don't need to debate about his quality. He is very tall, strong in one-v-one situations, has the ability to build from the back, and even though he is only 22 is a leader on the pitch. Someone who has a huge presence."

"I'm very happy to become a player for this great club," De Ligt said in a club statement. "FC Bayern are the most successful club in Germany, one of the most successful clubs in Europe and in the world. I felt the genuine appreciation from the sporting management, the coach and the board right from the start, which convinced me. On top of that, FC Bayern is a brilliantly run club with big aims. I'm very glad that I'm now becoming part of the FC Bayern story."

De Ligt becomes the second most expensive signing in Bayern's history behind Lucas Hernández. The Rekordmeister signed the French center-back from Atlético Madrid in 2019 for €80 million. That same year, Bayern were also interested in De Ligt. Still, the Dutchman opted to join Juventus from Ajax in a deal worth €85.5 million instead—the second highest fee paid for a center-back in history (overview).

De Ligt to Bayern - Defender will join the club in the US

Now three years later, Bayern got their player after all, and for a price that was below Juve's initial asking price of €90 million, plus bonuses. But even at a reduced price, De Ligt will become the most expensive center-back in terms of accumulated transfer fees (overview). Also, only two players were more expensive this transfer window—Aurélien Tchouameni (from Monaco to Real Madrid for €80m) and Darwin Núñez (from Benfica to Liverpool for €75m). 

De Ligt had agreed on personal terms with Bayern some time ago, but there was some distance between the two parties. With Juventus and Bayern heading on US Tours, both clubs worked hard on a resolution this weekend. The Lewandowski deal then brought further clarity freeing up necessary funds for the Bundesliga giants to advance the agreement. With no rival clubs bidding, Juve ultimately knew they would have to take a price cut to fulfill the player's wishes.