• Bundesliga

Shock in Germany as Gotze agrees to join Bayern

Borussia Dortmund star Mario Gotze will join Bayern Munich this summer.

Bayern will pay the €37 million release clause in the Germany international's contract and the player will form part of new coach Pep Guardiola's squad.

A statement on Bayern's official website read: "FC Bayern Munich confirms they have agreed with Germany international Mario Gotze, 20, that he will play for Bayern Munich from July 1, 2013. FC Bayern is ready to meet the release clause agreed between Borussia Dortmund and Mario Gotze."

On Tuesday morning, Dortmund released a statement to the press confirming that Gotze had recently confirmed his desire to leave.

It read: "A few days ago, Germany international Mario Gotze and his agent, Volker Struth, told Borussia Dortmund that Gotze would like to use his release clause and make the switch to Bayern Munich on July 1, 2013."

The club's CEO, Aki Watzke, added: "Certainly, we are disappointed beyond all measure, but we would like to stress out that both Mario and his agent have conformed to the measures stipulated in his contract."

A report in German newspaper Ruhr Nachrichten suggests that Gotze will earn a salary of €12 million per year upon his move to the Allianz Arena.

Dortmund had hinted at a dissatisfaction with Bayern's conduct, concluding the club statement: "No Bayern Munich official has contacted Borussia Dortmund in this matter until today."

Bayern's own statement, released later on Tuesday, suggested that they had resisted making contact with Dortmund to allow the club to prepare for their upcoming European clash against Real Madrid without distraction.

The club said: "Out of consideration for the upcoming Champions League semi-final between Dortmund and Real Madrid, Bayern Munich wanted to notify Borussia Dortmund after that game."

Gotze debuted for Dortmund at the age of just 17 years and five months back in 2009 and, after making five league appearances during his first season, helped the club secure the Bundesliga title in 2011 after scoring six goals in 33 games.

Gotze has made a total of 83 Bundesliga appearances, scoring 22 goals and creating a further 32 assists. He has also won 22 caps for Germany.

Only recently, World Cup winner and former World Player of the Year, Ronaldinho, enthused Gotze was a world star in the making.

"What he does with the ball, how he plays, passes - fantastic," the Brazilian told Sport Bild.

There are also fears Dortmund could lose their Polish target man Robert Lewandowski and defender Mats Hummels, both 24, in the summer.

Lewandowski has told the club he will not extend his contract, but refuses to make a decision on his future until the end of the season.

The Bundesliga's leading goal scorer has been linked with Bayern and several Premier League clubs.

Meanwhile, recent reports have suggested Barcelona are preparing an offer for Germany international Hummels, who previously said he could only imagine leaving Dortmund for a handful of clubs, one of them being Barcelona.

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