Barcelona have signed world-class striker Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich for up to 50 million euros ($51.14 million), the two clubs announced late on Tuesday. The final agreement comes three days after the Catalan club announced an agreement in principle for the Polish striker, which came while the team was flying to the United States.
Lewandowski will sign a four-year contract with a release clause set at 500 million euros ($511.35 million), Barcelona said in a statement.
Lewandowski, who had 12 months remaining on his Bayern contract, moved to Barcelona for 45 million euros with five million euros in add-ons, the 26-times Spanish champions confirmed.
The 33-year-old has joined the team on their U.S. pre-season tour where he completed his medical.
Lewandowski, who won the last two FIFA Best Player of the Year awards, is the German Bundesliga's all-time second highest scorer.
He scored 344 goals for Bayern in 375 appearances, winning the league title every year and the Champions League in 2020.
Before joining Bayern in 2014, Lewandowski scored 103 goals in 187 competitive appearances for Borussia Dortmund.
"Lewy" praises Xavi
Lewandowski has hailed Barcelona coach Xavi as the main reason for his move to the LaLiga club, saying the former midfielder's ideas and methods painted an "amazing future" for the Spanish team.
The Poland international said that he "always wanted to play for a big club" in LaLiga and praised Xavi, who was roped in last season when Barca were ninth and dragged them out of a slump to eventually finish second in the standings.
"I was speaking with Xavi and from the beginning I know (what's been on his) mind, his ideas," Lewandowski told Barca's media channel.
"It was easy for me to decide to come to Barcelona because I'm the guy who wants to play, who wants to win, and I think that with Xavi it's very possible," he added.
"He knows exactly how to coach Barcelona because he was an amazing player and now he's also a very good coach. He has an amazing future and I want to be a part of this as well," Poland's top striker said.
"Finally, I'm here, I'm very happy to be here with Barcelona. The last few days were very long days but in the end the deal is done. So now I can focus on a new chapter in my life, a new challenge," he added.
Źródło: TVN24 News in English, Reuters