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Bundesliga: Borussia's Goetze heading to rivals Bayern
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(Updated 9:05pm) MUNICH - Borussia Dortmund confirmed that Mario Goetze, one of the jewels of their youth academy, will join arch-rivals Bayern Munich in the summer, adding they were "disappointed" at the news of the midfielder's departure.
The 20-year-old, who joined Dortmund as an eight-year-old, is regarded as one of the country's most talented young players, has already won two Bundesliga titles and played 22 times for Germany, having also represented them a various age levels.
Losing one of their leading players to Bayern is a bitter pill for Dortmund to swallow and also comes as an unwanted distraction on the eve of their Champions League semifinal first leg at home to Spanish giants Real Madrid.
"Mario Goetze and his agent informed Borussia Dortmund a few days ago that the player would like to trigger his release clause and move to Bayern Munich on July 1," the club said on its website on Tuesday.
"We are naturally, more than anything else, all disappointed," Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke added, stressing that Goetze had acted in accordance to his contract.
Recently crowned Bundesliga champions Bayern confirmed the move in a "media explanation", adding that had intended to announce the signing after Dortmund had played on Wednesday (Thursday, PHL time).
"We confirm that Mario Goetze will play for Bayern from July 1," it said, adding it would match Dortmund's buyout clause.
German media said Bayern would be paying around 37 million euros ($48.21 million) for Goetze, which if confirmed, would be the most ever spent on a German player.
The move means that the technically gifted attacking midfielder, who can also play on the wing, could face his future club in the Champions League final at Wembley on May 25.
Bayern face Barcelona in the other semifinal, with the first leg in Munich later on Tuesday (Wednesday, PHL time).
Dortmund, second in the Bundesliga, immediately appealed to their fans not to turn against Goetze as they chase Champions League glory.
"Together with coach Juergen Klopp, sporting director Michael Zorc asks all Borussia Dortmund fans to unconditionally support Mario Goetze in the last games of the season, especially in the Champions League semifinal against Real Madrid, just as they would any other Dortmund professional," the statement said.
Domination fears
Despite boasting average home attendances of around 80,000 and recent back-to-back league titles, Dortmund have struggled to hang on to their top players.
Playmaker Nuri Sahin left after helping Dortmund win the 2011 Bundesliga crown and the Turk has since returned to the club on loan after unhappy stints at Real Madrid and Liverpool.
Shinji Kagawa, who went from a little-known Japanese second division player to one of the Bundesliga's most prodigious talents in two seasons with Dortmund, joined Manchester United at the end of last season.
Dortmund are also struggling to hold on to prolific Polish striker Robert Lewandowski.
Bayern Munich, on the other hand, appear to be hoarding top class players at will and Goetze's move is likely to add to worries over their dominance in Germany.
The Bavarians have already wrapped up the Bundesliga title, reached the German Cup final and have won their last two domestic games by 6-1 scorelines, despite fielding weakened teams.
Bayern, who signed Spanish midfielder Javi Martinez for 40 million euros at the start of this season, have won 18 of their 19 games in all competitions since the winter break, a run which also included a 9-2 demolition of Hamburg SV.
Their squad already boasts impressive strength in depth and it was difficult to see immediately where Goetze would fit in.
Last month, Klopp suggested Bayern were spending their way to success.
"At the moment, it's a bit like what the Chinese do in industry," the Dortmund coach said. "They look at what the others are doing and they imitate it, but with more money and different players."
Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes retorted: "Bayern have existed for a bit longer than Juergen Klopp has been a coach and have always had their own style of playing." - Reuters
The 20-year-old, who joined Dortmund as an eight-year-old, is regarded as one of the country's most talented young players, has already won two Bundesliga titles and played 22 times for Germany, having also represented them a various age levels.
Losing one of their leading players to Bayern is a bitter pill for Dortmund to swallow and also comes as an unwanted distraction on the eve of their Champions League semifinal first leg at home to Spanish giants Real Madrid.
"Mario Goetze and his agent informed Borussia Dortmund a few days ago that the player would like to trigger his release clause and move to Bayern Munich on July 1," the club said on its website on Tuesday.
"We are naturally, more than anything else, all disappointed," Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke added, stressing that Goetze had acted in accordance to his contract.
Recently crowned Bundesliga champions Bayern confirmed the move in a "media explanation", adding that had intended to announce the signing after Dortmund had played on Wednesday (Thursday, PHL time).
"We confirm that Mario Goetze will play for Bayern from July 1," it said, adding it would match Dortmund's buyout clause.
German media said Bayern would be paying around 37 million euros ($48.21 million) for Goetze, which if confirmed, would be the most ever spent on a German player.
The move means that the technically gifted attacking midfielder, who can also play on the wing, could face his future club in the Champions League final at Wembley on May 25.
Bayern face Barcelona in the other semifinal, with the first leg in Munich later on Tuesday (Wednesday, PHL time).
Dortmund, second in the Bundesliga, immediately appealed to their fans not to turn against Goetze as they chase Champions League glory.
"Together with coach Juergen Klopp, sporting director Michael Zorc asks all Borussia Dortmund fans to unconditionally support Mario Goetze in the last games of the season, especially in the Champions League semifinal against Real Madrid, just as they would any other Dortmund professional," the statement said.
Domination fears
Despite boasting average home attendances of around 80,000 and recent back-to-back league titles, Dortmund have struggled to hang on to their top players.
Playmaker Nuri Sahin left after helping Dortmund win the 2011 Bundesliga crown and the Turk has since returned to the club on loan after unhappy stints at Real Madrid and Liverpool.
Shinji Kagawa, who went from a little-known Japanese second division player to one of the Bundesliga's most prodigious talents in two seasons with Dortmund, joined Manchester United at the end of last season.
Dortmund are also struggling to hold on to prolific Polish striker Robert Lewandowski.
Bayern Munich, on the other hand, appear to be hoarding top class players at will and Goetze's move is likely to add to worries over their dominance in Germany.
The Bavarians have already wrapped up the Bundesliga title, reached the German Cup final and have won their last two domestic games by 6-1 scorelines, despite fielding weakened teams.
Bayern, who signed Spanish midfielder Javi Martinez for 40 million euros at the start of this season, have won 18 of their 19 games in all competitions since the winter break, a run which also included a 9-2 demolition of Hamburg SV.
Their squad already boasts impressive strength in depth and it was difficult to see immediately where Goetze would fit in.
Last month, Klopp suggested Bayern were spending their way to success.
"At the moment, it's a bit like what the Chinese do in industry," the Dortmund coach said. "They look at what the others are doing and they imitate it, but with more money and different players."
Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes retorted: "Bayern have existed for a bit longer than Juergen Klopp has been a coach and have always had their own style of playing." - Reuters
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