Leon Goretzka Completes Transfer from Bayern Munich to Aston Villa
Translated from German and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.
At a glance
- Leon Goretzka has officially transferred from Bayern Munich to Aston Villa in the Premier League.
- The 31-year-old midfielder joins Aston Villa on a free transfer after his contract with Bayern expired.
- Goretzka expressed a desire to play competitive football abroad before securing the move to England.
Leon Goretzka's move to Aston Villa in the Premier League is now official, marking a new chapter for the 31-year-old midfielder. The English club from Birmingham announced the signing on Instagram, stating, "If you need an engine, trust Germany," referencing the German international. Details regarding the length of Goretzka's contract were not disclosed, as he joins Aston Villa on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract with Bayern Munich this summer.
After eight successful years in Munich, which included a historic treble in 2020, Goretzka's time at Bayern concluded. While he was frequently mentioned as a potential transfer candidate in recent years, he consistently remained a key player within the star-studded squad, featuring prominently in matches each season. He was also an important contributor in the Champions League under coach Vincent Kompany last season. However, a contract extension did not materialize, and Bayern announced in January that they would not be extending his deal.
If you need an engine, trust Germany
Goretzka, who previously moved to Bayern Munich on a free transfer from Schalke 04 in the summer of 2018, extended his contract in Munich until June 30, 2026. His departure will reportedly save Bayern a significant amount in salary. The midfielder had previously expressed his openness to a move to a different league, stating in March his desire to "play really competitive football abroad again."
Clubs such as FC Barcelona, Juventus Turin, Arsenal, Napoli, and AC Milan had been linked with Goretzka. Now, he will continue his career in the Aston Villa jersey, also returning to international competition with the Europa League winners.
I would still like to play really competitive football abroad.
Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.