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Bayern clinch summer deal for Basel starlet Shaqiri

FC Bayern München will sign "one of the most sought-after talents in European football" after agreeing a €12m summer transfer deal for FC Basel 1893 playmaker Xherdan Shaqiri.

Basel's Xherdan Shaqiri will face his future employers later this month
Basel's Xherdan Shaqiri will face his future employers later this month ©Getty Images

FC Bayern München and FC Basel 1893 have agreed terms on the summer transfer of 20-year-old Switzerland midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri from the Swiss Super League champions to the German Bundesliga club.

The prodigious playmaker, who passed a medical in Munich this week, has signed a four-year contract that will run from 1 July 2012 until 30 June 2016. His transfer fee is reported to be in the region of €12m.

Shaqiri has ignited Swiss football with his dazzling midfield skills, scoring 13 goals in 80 top-flight appearances for Basel. He also took a starring role as Switzerland reached last summer's UEFA European Under-21 Championship final – losing to Spain – and has been capped 17 times by the senior national team, scoring four goals.

"We're delighted to have secured the signing of Xherdan Shaqiri, one of the most sought-after talents in European football," said Bayern sporting director Christian Nerlinger. Coach Jupp Heynckes added: "Xherdan's intelligent play and dribbling skills will add to our arsenal next season. I've been watching him for a while now and I'm convinced he can become a very important player for Bayern."

The Kosovo-born schemer will be acquainted with his future team-mates later this month when Basel take on Bayern in the UEFA Champions League round of 16. Basel host the first leg at St. Jakob-Park on 22 February, with the return scheduled for 13 March in Munich.

 

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