FC Bayern have signed defender Matthijs de Ligt from Italian record champions Juventus. The 22-year-old Dutch international has agreed a contract until 30 June 2027.
Herbert Hainer, FC Bayern president: “Matthijs de Ligt was a top target for us. With signings like this, the big aims that we have are achievable. The future face of our team is increasingly taking shape, and this transfer is an important building block in the overall concept that we’re gradually putting into place. De Ligt should become a mainstay at FC Bayern.”
Here are the interviews on the signing of Matthijs de Ligt:
de Ligt, Kahn, Salihamidžić
'Leadership qualities, hunger, winning mentality' - reaction to de Ligt signing
de Ligt, Kahn, Salihamidžić
'Leadership qualities, hunger, winning mentality' - reaction to de Ligt signing
Oliver Kahn, FC Bayern CEO: “Matthijs de Ligt has impressed at the highest international level, not just with his technical qualities but also as a character who leads in all his teams. At his young age he’s already learned about taking responsibility. A strong team doesn’t just require a strong attack, and with this signing we’re really raising our defence to the top level.”
Hasan Salihamidzic, FC Bayern board member for sport: “I’m very happy that Matthijs de Ligt will be playing for FC Bayern in the future. We wanted to bring Matthijs to Munich three years ago; we were already convinced by his qualities as a defender back then, and today we’re even more so. With his professionalism, his hunger and his wonderful character, Matthijs fits in with our team and our ambitions. He’ll take on an important role at FC Bayern on and off the pitch. He was already a leader as a youngster at Ajax, and at 22 he’s still capable of developing at the high level he’s at.”
Matthijs de Ligt: “I’m very happy to become a player for this great club. FC Bayern are the most successful club in Germany, one of the most successful clubs in Europe and in the world. I felt the genuine appreciation from the sporting management, the coach and the board right from the start, which convinced me. On top of that, FC Bayern is a brilliantly run club with big aims. I’m very glad that I’m now becoming part of the FC Bayern story.”
De Ligt joined the Ajax academy at the age of nine and made his professional debut for the Dutch record champions in 2016 at the age of 17, scoring his first goal in the same game. In general de Ligt has been an early starter: among other things he’s the youngest captain in Ajax’s history to date and the youngest debutant for the Dutch national team since 1945. In 2019, after a total of 117 competitive appearances (13 goals), he celebrated the double of the league and cup with Ajax before joining Juventus in Serie A. He lifted one league title, one cup and one Italian Super Cup with Juve. He moves to Bayern after 117 appearances and eight goals in all competitions. At international level, de Ligt has 38 senior caps for the Netherlands and two goals.
A closer look at our new signing: