Bayern defender Süle to move to rivals Dortmund in summer for free

Berlin (dpa) – Bayern Munich defender Niklas Süle will move to rivals Borussia Dortmund on a free transfer in summer, Dortmund confirmed on Monday.

The Germany international will sign a four-year contract with Dortmund, the last side other than Bayern to win the Bundesliga – back in 2012.

“We are delighted to sign Niklas Süle, a German international, free of charge,” Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc said.

Sebastian Kehl, head of professional football at Dortmund, said the defender showed in personal talks “that he has a great desire to play” for the club.

“He has a lot of experience, calmness in the build-up play and the necessary physical shape to take the next step together with us from summer onwards.”

Bayern chairman Oliver Kahn had already confirmed in January that the German international would leave the club after contract negotiations broke down.

On Sunday, Süle’s agent Volker Struth told the Sport1 TV that the player’s decision had “nothing to do with financial matters,” and that he was not feeling “valued enough” at Bayern.

Struth also said that Süle didn’t even want to attend a contract meeting with the club scheduled for the beginning of January.

The defender moved to the German record champions from Hoffenheim in 2017 for around €20 million ($23 million).

Bayern have been linked to Chelsea duo Antonio Rüdiger and Andreas Christensen, both of whom would be available for free when the season ends.