Matthijs de Ligt to become one of Bayern Munich's highest paid players after Juventus switch
- Scott Allen
- 19 July 2022
Matthijs de Ligt has become one of Bayern Munich's highest paid players after completing his £68million switch from Juventus.
The 22-year-old Netherlands defender has agreed a five-year contract worth around £15.5million per year, nearly £300,000-a-week.
As previous highest earner Robert Lewandowski recently joined Barcelona, De Light now jostles for space with Bayern Munich's other top billing stars Manuel Neuer (£296K), Joshua Kimmich (296K) and Thomas Muller (296K).
De Ligt was on around £200,000 a week at Juventus and the Serie A giants were keen to get him off their wage bill.
De Ligt, who had been linked with Chelsea, told the Bayern website: "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 began his career at Ajax and spent three seasons in the first team in Amsterdam.
He moved to Italy for £67.5m in 2019 and made 109 appearances for Juventus, winning a Serie A title, an Italian Cup and an Italian Super Cup during his time in Turin.
Bayern chief executive Oliver Kahn said: "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."
