Kim Min-jae, a defender for South Korea, has signed a five-year deal to join Bayern Munich from Napoli, the Serie A champions, the Bundesliga club said on Tuesday. Kim Min-jae comes from Napoli.
The German giants did not reveal the transfer cost, but German and Italian media reported that Bayern had paid a release clause for the player that was worth 50 million euros ($56.11 million).
According to what Min-jae said on the club website, “FC Bayern is a dream for every footballer.”
“I’m incredibly excited to see what the future has in store for us in Munich. My life is just being started all over again. I’ll continue to grow here.
“In the course of our conversation, the club made it quite apparent to me from the very beginning how interested they are in signing me. My primary objective is to get in a lot of gaming time. In addition to that, one of my goals is to bring home as many awards as I can.
The 26-year-old player, who moved to Napoli from Fenerbahce of Turkey in July of the previous year, was an essential component of the squad that won the Scudetto for the first time in more than three decades during the 2017–18 season.
“Kim Min-jae has developed extremely well, winning the Serie A title with Napoli last season and being voted the best defender in the league,” Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen said. “Kim Min-jae won the Serie A title with Napoli last season and was voted the best in the league.”
“He leaves an impression not just with his mindset and quickness, but also with his powerful physical presence. We’re thrilled that he’ll be able to get started right away on the entire preseason roster, and we have no doubt that his exciting new playing style will win over a lot of new fans.
During his time at Napoli, Min-jae participated in 45 matches across all competitions and scored twice.
Earlier on Tuesday, he made the announcement that he was leaving the Italian side.
“I want to thank all of the Napoli fans who have shown their love and support,” the statement begins. In a message posted on Instagram, Min-jae thanked the audience for making it possible for their team to win the Scudetto 33 years after Diego Maradona.
I would want to convey my thanks to my passionate club Napoli, Mister (manager Luciano) Spalletti, my team mates, and most of all, to the supporters of Napoli.
“No matter where I am or where I go, Napoli will always be on my mind, and I will always cheer for you,” he said.
Since making his debut for South Korea in 2017, Min-jae has earned a total of 49 international caps. However, owing to his duty in the military, he was unable to play in either of the two most recent exhibition matches.