Official: Barcelona sign Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich
Cameron Smith
- Updated: 19 Jul 2022 22:11 BST
- 3 min read
Breaking
Barcelona have officially confirmed the signing of Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich.
The Polish international has joined the Blaugrana on a four-year deal for €45 million plus €5m in add-ons. There is a €500m buyout clause included in his contract, as per La Liga rules. Lewandowski has arrived after an illustrious eight-year stint in Bavaria, during which he won 19 trophies and scored over 340 goals.
Barcelona had been pursuing a move for Lewandowski for some time, with the club seeking a new striker despite Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s form since arriving from Arsenal in January, and have finally secured his signature. He arrives as the club’s long sought-after replacement for Luis Suarez, two years after the former Liverpool man left Camp Nou for Atletico Madrid.
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Lewandowski joins a heavily contested Barcelona forward line, but has been sounded out by Xavi as a key target and is expected to play a crucial role in the club’s rise back up the European football ladder following a tumultuous time on and off the pitch over the past 12 months. The Catalan giants lost club legend Lionel Messi to Paris Saint-Germain last summer due to financial troubles, but have built their reputation back up since then, with the appointment of Xavi helping point the club back into the right direction.
The Camp Nou side have also officially confirmed the free transfer signings of Andreas Christensen from Chelsea and Franck Kessie from AC Milan, and have added Raphinha from Leeds United for €65m.
Lewandowski gets the move he wants
Before the move was officially announced, Lewandowski made it clear to Bayern that he wished to leave the club, with Barcelona the only possible destination for him.
Agreement in principle for the transfer of Robert Lewandowski
🔗 https://t.co/quEclaHkdl https://t.co/YTCRbaW173— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 16, 2022
Poland’s all-time record goal-scorer was understood to have been frustrated by Bayern’s pursuit of Erling Haaland before the Norway international chose to join Manchester City.
He even admitted while on duty for his country after the close of the Bundesliga season: “My era at Bayern Munich is over. I don’t see any possibility to continue playing for this club anymore.
“Bayern is a serious club and I hope they will not keep me only because they can do it. A transfer is the best solution. I hope they don’t stop me.”
The move has ensured Lewandowski will play outside the Bundesliga for the first time since 2010, when he left Lech Poznan in his homeland to join Borussia Dortmund.
Lewandowski could turn out for Barcelona for the first time in pre-season games against Inter Miami and New York Red Bulls in late July.
