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Bayern Confirm Vidal Switch from Juventus

Bayern Munich confirmed on Tuesday they have signed Chile midfielder Arturo Vidal from Juventus on a five-year deal with Bastian Schweinsteiger's replacement reportedly costing 35 million euros ($38.6m, £24.8m).

The 28-year-old midfielder has been brought in by the German champions to bolster their options in the middle after Germany captain Schweinsteiger joined Manchester United earlier this month.

Vidal is Bayern's second major signing of the close season after Brazil winger or striker Douglas Costa was signed from Shakhtar Donetsk earlier this month.

German daily Bild say Vidal will earn 10 million euros per season at Bayern as the Chilean returns for a second stint in the Bundesliga after four seasons with Bayer Leverkusen.

He helped Juventus reach last season's Champions League final after claiming the Italian league and cup double.

"He is a guy who likes to win and has an excellent mentality," said Bayern's sporting director Matthias Sammer.

"He'll be good for us with his strength in one-on-ones, his eye for goal and his flexibility."

Vidal converted a spot-kick in Chile's 4-1 penalty shoot-out win over Argentina earlier this month that saw them win the Copa America and he was also named in the team of the tournament.

However, his tournament was also overshadowed by an arrest for drink driving after he crashed his Ferrari as he was returning to the capital Santiago after an evening at a casino. His wife, who was with him in the car, was injured.

German champions Bayern will start the new Bundesliga season at home to Hamburg on Friday, August 14 and will be bidding to make history by becoming the first team to win four consecutive Bundesliga titles.

Source: Agence France Presse


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