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Reina leaves Liverpool to join Bayern

ESPN staff
August 8, 2014
Pepe Reina spent last season on loan at Napoli © Getty Images
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Bayern Munich have completed the signing of goalkeeper Pepe Reina from Liverpool.

Bayern announced on Tuesday that Reina, 31, who spent last season on loan at Napoli, was on the verge of joining the club. The Bundesliga champions confirmed news of the deal three days later, with the Spain international signing a three-year contract at the Allianz Arena.

An official Bayern statement read: "Now everything is in the bag. Since Friday, Pepe Reina is a Bayern player.

"In the presence of the directors Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Jan-Christian Dreesen, and technical director Michael Reschke, the 31 year old goalkeeper put his signature on a three-year contract [until June 30, 2017].

"On the eve [of the move] Reina passed his sports medical examination. He will wear the shirt No.23 - as in the Spanish national team. At the FC Bayern team presentation on Saturday, Reina will wear the FCB jersey for the first time."

Reina joined Liverpool from Villarreal in 2005 and became a key player at the club, helping them win the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Super Cup.

However, he fell out of favour under Brendan Rodgers and was shipped out on loan last summer to reunite with former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez at Napoli, following the arrival of Simon Mignolet at Anfield.

Reina faces stiff competition at Bayern, with World Cup-winning goalkeeper Manuel Neuer the current No.1 at the club.

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