Stuttgart striker opts for Bayern switch

Mario Gomez has come to a decision about his future – and has publicly declared his desire to join Bayern this summer. The 23-year-old VfB Stuttgart striker announced his intentions on Tuesday before joining up with the Germany squad for a post-season tour to Asia. A transfer deal taking the sought-after goal-getter to Munich is now little more than a formality.

Gomez reached his decision after talks with the Bayern board of directors. “I’m looking forward to joining Bayern Munich,“ commented the striker, the subject of firm offers from a number of leading European clubs. “Bayern is something special. I want to go all-out with this club in the league next season, and I’m really looking forward to playing in the Champions League.“

Rummenigge delighted

The Munich camp is equally delighted at the news. “Bayern Munich FC is very happy that Mario Gomez has decided in favour of our club,“ commented FCB chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, describing Gomez as “a top-class striker, and one of Germany’s best goalscorers. He’s ended up with around 20 Bundesliga goals in each of the last three seasons. We’re looking forward to having him here.“

The player finished the 2008-9 campaign with a personal best 24 top flight goals. Between 2004 and 2009, Gomez scored a total of 63 goals in 121 Bundesliga appearances for Stuttgart. On his return from Asia next week, he will travel to Munich for final contract talks before inking a deal with Bayern.

Fifth new face

Gomez will be the fifth confirmed new signing for the coming season. Bayern have already secured the services of Anatoliy Tymoschuk (Zenit St. Petersburg), Ivica Olic (Hamburger SV), Alexander Baumjohann (Borussia Monchengladbach) and Andreas Görlitz. The latter returns to FCB after completing a two-year loan spell with Karlsruhe.

Germany’s most successful club is likely to bring in one or two more fresh faces this summer. Right-back was the position posing the biggest problem at the moment, Uli Hoeneß said on Bavarian TV’s Monday evening Blickpunkt Sport show. “There’s a bit of a hole there.” The board will continue actively seeking out candidates before the club closes for the official vacation period.