Kirchhoff signs for three years until 2016

On Thursday, defender Jan Kirchhoff finalised his summer switch to Bayern from FSV Mainz by passing the obligatory medical in Munich and putting his name to a three-year contract, binding him to FCB until 30 June 2016. The Germany U-21 international moves on a free transfer.

“I’m delighted I’ve put my signature to the contract and am now 100 percent sure to be part of FC Bayern from next summer,” the centre-back told FCB.tv after inking the deal at a central Munich location. The Frankfurt-born player described the move as “a huge challenge, but if you don’t take it on, you’ll never get better.”

Bayern board director for sport Matthias Sammer, who has been aware of Kirchhoff’s ability “for several years” from his time as German FA (DFB) sporting director, spoke from the club’s Qatar training camp about the 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) defender, describing him as “a rough diamond” with “good prospects” and “very good qualities.”

Kirchhoff himself is setting his sights high for the period after 1 July when he officially joins the nation’s biggest club. “With this club, it’s basically logical that you want to win trophies and achieve the greatest possible success. That means winning the Bundesliga, winning the DFB Cup, and also doing well in Europe. I’ll give it everything I have, like all the other players.”