Bayern Munich have completed the signing of Lucas Hernandez on a five-year deal and will join the club next summer. The left-back is Bayern’s most expensive signing of all-time, costing the club €80 million. This is nearly double of what Bayern paid Lyon to sign Corentin Tolisson in 2017. Hernandez thus also becomes the most expensive left-back in the world.
Bayern were interested in signing Hernandez for a long time and have managed to acquire him now. Hernandez will be the second French full-back to join Bayern next season, the first being Benjamin Pavard. Hernandez joined Atletico Madrid in 2014 and became a regular for the club by the 2017-18 season. So far, Hernandez has made 110 appearances for the club, scoring once and providing 4 assists.
This season, Hernandez has made 22 appearances for Bayern, scoring a goal. Hernandez has also made 15 appearances for France, providing 3 assists. He played a key role in France’s World Cup win last summer, providing two assists including one in the final against Croatia.
One of the best left-backs in the world, Hernandez did not join the France national team for their Euro qualifiers against Moldova and Iceland due to injury. However, he completed a medical with Bayern and signed the contract today.
Former Bayern Munich star and current sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic said, “I’m very happy we’ve been able to sign one of the best defenders in the world, a World Cup winner, in Lucas Hernandez. Lucas can play both in central defence and at left-back. Moreover, Lucas will continue our great tradition of French footballers and improve our team. During the medical examination we found damage to the medial collateral ligament in the player’s right knee that requires a surgical repair. Based on experience, Lucas Hernandez will be available for FC Bayern by the start of the 2019/20 Bundesliga season.”
On signing for Bayern, Hernandez said, “This is a really important day in my footballing career. FC Bayern Munich is one of the best clubs in Europe and the world. I’m proud to be able to fight for all possible titles with Bayern. I’d like to thank Atletico, the management, the coaches, my teammates and the fans for 12 wonderful years. Atletico will always remain a part of me. Now I’m looking forward to taking the next step with FC Bayern.”
