Bayern Munich have announced the signing of Wolfsburg forward Mario Mandzukic. The transfer fee was not disclosed, but Bild estimates it to be around €13 million. The forward will join the club on a contract through 2016.
Bayern Munich sign Mario Mandzukic
The Croatian international joins Bayern on a four year contract.
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“We’re delighted to sign a top Bundesliga centre-forward in Mario Mandzukic, who has already demonstrated his incredible goalscoring qualities during EURO 2012 in Poland and Ukraine. He will strengthen our squad even further,” sporting director Christian Nerlinger said about Mandzukic.
Mandzukic, 26, has been looking for a new home since he was deemed expendable at VfL Wolfsburg by manager Felix Magath. The Croatian international scored 20 goals in 2 seasons with Wolfsburg. The goals in Germany didn't come easily for Mandzukic after making the move from Dinamo Zagreb where he scored 63 times in 125 appearances. Wolfsburg didn't escape relegation until the last day of the 2010-2011 season, and they initially struggled last season until putting things together in the second half of the season.
In the European Championship, Mandzukic scored three of Croatia’s four goals on the way to a disappointing group stage exit. He was linked during the tournament with a move to Lokomotiv Moscow to join national team manager Slaven Bilic. Since the end of the tournament, he has been linked with various clubs throughout Europe.
The signing of Mandzukic will likely end Bayern's pursuit of Manchester City forward Edin Dzeko. The asking price just ended up being too high. Jupp Heynckes will have an effect forward rotation of Mandzukic, Mario Gomez, and Claudio Pizarro. Mandzukic's signing also means that Nils Petersen will go out on loan with Werder Bremen as the rumored destination.
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