DFC Bayern Munich has a new number one – at least for the rest of the season. Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer, who has played for Borussia Mönchengladbach in the Bundesliga since 2014, will strengthen the German champions. The club announced this Thursday.
In Munich, Sommer, who has received a contract there up to and including June 30, 2025, is initially to replace Manuel Neuer, the captain of the team, who injured himself so badly while skiing during the winter break (fracture of the right lower leg) that he has to retire this season won’t play anymore.
It quickly became clear that FC Bayern’s sporting director Hasan Salihamidžić and his team were looking for a new goalkeeper. The top candidate: Sommer, 34 years old and 1.83 meters tall, Switzerland international. One who can act on the game with both his feet and hands. One who holds at a high level despite being small for a keeper. One that immediately makes a difference.
In the press release, Salihamidžić therefore said: “We have big goals for this season that we want to achieve and that’s why we hired Yann Sommer, who we consider to be one of the best European goalkeepers.” has Champions League experience, he is a goalkeeper who plays and fits in very well with our team with his ambition and character. I would like to thank Borussia Mönchengladbach for the constructive negotiations.”
And summer itself? Can be quoted as follows: “I’m proud to be part of FC Bayern now. We have big tasks ahead of us. I’m really looking forward to starting with my new colleagues and to everything that is to come.”, said the Swiss, who then addressed words of thanks to his old employer: “I would like to thank Borussia Mönchengladbach for eight and a half great years and for the fact that this transfer became possible.”
Bayern CEO Oliver Kahn added that Sommer has everything he needs to be able to play his part in the success immediately: “We are sure that we can achieve our goals with Yann Sommer.”
When FC Bayern play their first mandatory game since the World Cup break this Friday in Leipzig (8:30 p.m., in the FAZ live ticker for the Bundesliga and on DAZN and Sat. 1), Sommer will probably already be in goal. At least that’s how the coach Julian Nagelsmann could be interpreted, who said on Wednesday that a new goalkeeper only needs “15 minutes” with a team to be ready. That speaks for a use in the Bundesliga game.
Why Bayern wanted summer
But it has to do with another competition why Bayern wanted summer. In the Champions League, where they play against Paris Saint-German in the round of 16, they obviously believe that the chances are better with Sommer than with Sven Ulreich, Manuel Neuer’s actual substitute.
The price of this decision: at least eight million euros. That’s how high, according to several media, is the transfer fee (without bonuses) for the goalkeeper, whose contract in Mönchengladbach would have expired in the summer.
So it seems like a good deal for Borussia. And for Bayern? It is one that provides short-term clarity in goal. But that could change in the summer. As of today, four goalkeepers are under contract in Munich: Manuel Neuer, Yann Sommer, Sven Ulreich and Alexander Nübel, whose loan contract with AS Monaco is expiring.
