Bayern sign Germany striker Schlaudraff
BERLIN, Jan 3 (Reuters) - German champions Bayern Munich have
signed national striker Jan Schlaudraff from Alemannia Aachen on a
three-year contract from the end of the season, the two clubs said
on Wednesday.
Bayern will pay Aachen a fixed transfer fee of one million euros
($1.33 million).
Schlaudraff, 23, who has been capped once, was the surprise of the
first half of the Bundesliga season, helping promoted Aachen stay
clear of the relegation zone with six goals in 15 matches.
'I think this is the right step for me,' Schlaudraff told the
sports agency SID. 'It's a big step but I see a chance to develop
further at Munich and for Germany.'
Schlaudraff also scored the final goal in Aachen's 4-2 victory over
Bayern Munich which knocked the holders out of the German Cup in
the round of 16 last month.
German media reports said Schlaudraff will earn about two million
euros a year at Munich from July 1.
'Jan is one of the most promising young German players,' said
Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
Bayern signed another young Germany striker Lukas Podolski from
Cologne at the end of last season. Podolski has not yet started for
Bayern, who are in third place at the halfway stage of the season
three points behind leaders Werder Bremen.
Schlaudraff, who played only 10 Bundesliga matches for Borussia
Moenchengladbach, flourished after transferring to Aachen, then in
the second division. He scored 11 goals in 29 matches last season
to help Aachen win a spot in the Bundesliga.