Official: Bayern Munich sign Ibrahimovic

Stuart Telford

• Updated: 23 May 2023 09:00 CDT
• 3 min read

Bayern Munich are in the habit of getting their transfer business done early and this winter is no different…

The German champions have tied academy star Arijon Ibrahimovic down to his first professional contract, the 17-year-old signing a three-year deal at the Allianz Arena.

Ibrahimovic, who is no relation to his famous namesake Zlatan, does have some things in common with the AC Milan legend, notably his eye for goal having scored 13 times in 16 appearances with Bayern's under-19s this season.

READ: Arijon Ibrahimovic's Football Transfers profile

He was on the bench for Bayern's 2-0 win over Hoffenheim in October, and although he didn’t enter the fray that day, it now seems only a matter of time until he will make his full debut for the record German champions.

Ibrahimovic will become the sixth player under the age of 20 in Nagelsmann's first-team squad next year after Germany star Jamal Musiala, nascent French talent Matthys Tel, as well as Paul Wanner, Johannes Schenk and Gabriel Marusic.

Able to play right up front or wider and deeper off a more natural No.9, Ibrahimovic will provide competition for Masiala, Thomas Muller, Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane in the final third.

Despite his name, position, and attacking prowess, Arijon is quick to play down comparisons with Zlatan.

READ: Man Utd's best free transfers of all time

Arijon Ibrahimovic: 'Zlatan's better than me'

"Well, I play in attack and score a few goals. But he's a bit better than me," he said last year, showing maturity beyond his years.

"Later I'd like to become a professional footballer, but that'll take time. Until then, I want to play well with the team and score many goals."

"We've got a very good impression of him," Nagelsmann previously said on promoting Ibrahimovic to first-team training. "Ari's a very good attacking player, whose quality lies in taking on defenders in one-on-one situations. He can dribble really well."

Zlatan, who has a goal and two assists in six career meetings with Bayern, is currently overcoming knee surgery and could return for Milan before the end of the season.