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Bayern Munich is by far the most successful club in Germany and one of the richest. Its power in the transfer market is hard to contend with, evidenced by its constant trophy haul every year.
Munich’s big club (sorry 1860 Munich fans) doesn’t seem to be letting up in its chase for trophies, although this season the club has struggled under new manager Niko Kovac.
To solve some defensive frailties, Bayern Munich needed a better defender, and it looks like it found one.
From Stuttgart to Munich: @BenPavard28 will join @FCBayernEN in the summer. pic.twitter.com/LFB9AL3CwY— Bundesliga English (@Bundesliga_EN) January 9, 2019
On Tuesday, Bayern Munich announced the signing of French World Cup hero Benjamin Pavard. Plying his trade for VfB Stuttgart, Pavard attracted the attention of a few big clubs in England, Germany and Spain. After his excellent performances in the World Cup this past summer, the big clubs raced for his signature.
Of course, Bayern Munich had to win. Luckily for Stuttgart, Pavard won’t leave until the summer. This has become a habit of the Bavarian giants in the past few years: poaching some of the best players from the Bundesliga to create basically an all-star team.
In honor of Pavard’s signing, here is a list of some of the best players that Bayern Munich poached from other Bundesliga teams. Look away now Dortmund fans!
Poached Bayern Munich Transfers
1. Robert Lewandowski — Borussia Dortmund
You knew this was coming. Robert Lewandowski was an absolute animal for Borussia Dortmund, and it was no wonder why Bayern Munich wanted to sign him.
Lewandowski scored 103 goals and registered 42 assists for Dortmund in the Bundesliga and another 17 goals and seven assists in the Champions League. Lewandowski was in his prime at Dortmund and contributed to some very important moments under then-manager Jurgen Klopp.
Not only did Lewandowski leave Dortmund for a hated rival, he left the club on a free transfer. Ouch.
2. Mats Hummels — Borussia Dortmund
Hummels is quite the defender. After an impressive display in the 2014 World Cup, Hummels was watched very closely by the Bavarians and was then signed two years later for a fee of $40 million dollars.
Hummels was the third player from Borussia Dortmund to transfer to Bayern Munich in three years. At that point, it just seemed like Bayern was pointing the middle finger at Dortmund.
3. Mario Gotze — Borussia Dortmund
This is the last Dortmund player, I promise.
Gotze was the first of the Dortmund trio to leave for Bayern Munich, joining in 2013. At the time of his departure, Gotze was considered one of the best young players in the world. He showed great promise under Klopp and and when he joined Pep Guardiola, he continued his form for a time.
After the 2014 World Cup, his form dipped and it seemed like Gotze was enjoying his football anymore. He’s the only player out of the trio that left to return to the club. Gotze is only 26, so he has some time to rediscover his long lost form.
4. Manuel Neuer — Schalke
Manuel Neuer is arguably one of Bayern Munich’s best signings in the past decade. In his Schalke days, Neuer was very highly rated and helped bring the Champions League to Gelsenkirchen.
After his transfer to Munich for $34 million, Neuer helped the Bavarians to six Bundesliga titles, three DFB Pokals, four DFB Super Cups, a UEFA Champions League title, one UEFA Super Cup and one FIFA Club World Cup. He also rose to Germany’s No. 1 keeper and helped Germany take home the World Cup in 2014. Good buy.
5. Joshua Kimmich — RB Leipzig
Kimmich has been a starter for Bayern Munich for a few years now, and he’s only 23.
In his first season with the Bavarians, he made 23 appearances and started 15 of those matches — as a 19 year old. He’s been a mainstay in the starting lineup at Munich since and has also represented Germany 38 times. Versatile and technically gifted, Kimmich can play in many different positions. Bayern’s Swiss Army Knife.
6. Mario Mandzukic — VfL Wolfsburg
Tall and powerful, Mandzukic is a textbook center forward.
For Wolfsburg, he had an OK goal output, scoring 20 goals in 56 appearances, although he was played out wide in his first season. His record with Munich was much better, scoring 33 goals in 54 Bundesliga appearances. While his goal output is nothing like Lewandowski’s, his hold up play was phenomenal, and that’s why Munich signed him.
7. Mario Gomez — VfB Stuttgart
Another Mario makes the list.
What a forward Gomez was for Munich. Scoring an impressive 113 goals in 174 appearances in all competitions, Gomez was as prolific as they come. He was excellent for Germany too, scoring 31 goals. It’s no wonder that when he left Munich for Fiorentina in 2013 that Munich signed Lewandowski soon after; it needed a forward like Gomez.
Gomez returned to Stuttgart during this summer's transfer window.
Honorable Mention: Sebastian Rudy, Claudio Pizzaro, Serge Gnabry, Niklas Sule
Bayern Munich isn't the only major force in world football that poaches players from the same league, but the Bavarians certainly made a name for themselves recently by taking players from their rivals Dortmund and other Bundesliga clubs.
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