Bayern pay club record $90 mln for World Cup winner Hernandez

Atletico Madrid and France defender Lucas Hernandez will join Bayern Munich for 90 million U.S. dollars this summer, the German club announced on Wednesday.

The 23-year-old World Cup winner will sign a five-year contract starting on July 1, Bayern said in a statement.

The 90-million fee makes him the most expensive signing in Bayern's history, almost doubling the sum paid for Corentin Tolisso.

It also makes Hernandez one of the most expensive defenders in history, and one of the most expensive players ever signed by a German club.

"I am very happy that we have managed to sign Lucas Hernandez, who is a World Cup winner and one of the best defensive players in the world," said Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic.

"Lucas can play in central defense or at left-back. He will strengthen our team and continue the tradition of fantastic French players at our club."

Lucas Hernandez becomes the second most expensive defender in history following the deal, with Virgil van Dijk topping the list. /CGTN

The announcement is the latest sign that Bayern are planning a major squad overhaul this summer.

Bayern were knocked out of the Champions League in the round of 16 and earlier this month, club president Uli Hoeness declared that Bayern were launching the "biggest programme of investment the club has ever seen."

In January, Bayern announced that Hernandez's fellow France defender Benjamin Pavard would join from Stuttgart this summer for 40 million U.S. dollars. Hamburg's 19-year-old striker Jann Fiete Arp will also complete a move to Munich by the summer of 2020.

The new arrivals could push some more familiar faces towards the exit door. Veteran wingers Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery are expected to finally end their Bayern careers this summer, and there is speculation that further big names may also leave.

Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng, both recently axed from the German national team set-up, will face a fight for their place in the Bayern team after the arrival of fellow defenders Hernandez and Pavard.

Hernandez has had a knee problem for a while. He has not played for Atletico since Feb 9 and missed France's recent internationals.

Lucas Hernandez in action at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid. Bayern Munich announced his transfer on March 29, 2019. /VCG Photo

Bayern said that he would undergo an operation on Wednesday after a medical exam revealed a problem with his knee.

"Our medical examination revealed damage to Lucas Hernandez' right knee, which will have to be operated on," said Bayern team doctor Hans-Wilhelm Mueller-Wohlfahrt, confirming that Hernandez would, nonetheless, be fit to play by the start of next season.

Hernandez signed for Atletico Madrid as a youth player in 2007, and has made 110 senior appearances for the club since his first team debut in April 2014. Last summer, he was a key player in France's World Cup winning campaign.

Atletico's Lucas Hernandez (L-bottom) tackles Real Madrid's Dani Carvajal (C) at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, February 9, 2019. /VCG Photo

"This is a very important day in my footballing career," said Hernandez.

"Bayern are one of the best clubs in the world. I will be proud to compete for all titles for Bayern in the future."

"I would like to thank Atletico, the management, the coaches, my team mates and the fans for 12 wonderful years in Madrid," he said.

"Atletico will always be a part of me, but I am now happy to be making the next step at Bayern."

(CGTN)