Demichelis bound for Bayern

Four-year deal
The 21-year-old, nicknamed Micho, is one of the most highly-rated talents in South America after impressing for CA River Plate. The centre-back will join Bayern from July next year and has agreed a four-year contract. It is believed he will cost €4.5m.

Deal agreed
A tall centre-back, Demichelis signed for the German pace-setters after an agreement between Bayern's chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and general manager Uli Hoeness with River Plate president Dr José Aguilar yesterday in Madrid.

High hopes
"'Micho' is 1,84m tall and weighs 80kg," said Hoeness. "He is regarded as one of Argentina's most promising talents for the future and the youngster will be the [Roque] Santa Cruz of our defence."

Many strengths
"He is the player, we wanted for our defence," said Rummenigge, adding that Demichelis would be a commanding figure in the Bayern rearguard despite his age."He is very strong in the air and in one-on-one situations and has good techique and reading of the game."

Staying put
Paraguay striker Santa Cruz has become one of Bayern's key players since joining aged 17 from Club Olimpia four years ago. In another piece of business today, he has agreed a new four-year contract at Bayern until June 2006, as has his English team-mate Owen Hargreaves. The England midfield player had been linked with several Premiership clubs but is staying in the 1. Bundesliga.