Real Madrid have announced the departure of Xabi Alonso to Bayern Munich.
In a statement on the official club website, Los Blancos said an agreement had been reached with Pep Guardiola’s side and the veteran midfielder would be leaving the Santiago Bernabeu.
The 32-year-old, who announced his retirement from international football this week, will give a press conference alongside Emilio Butragueno later on Friday.
The statement read: “Real Madrid C.F. and Bayern Munich have reached an agreement for the transfer of Xabi Alonso. The player will speak to the media today (Friday) at 11:00h in the Santiago Bernabéu press room, alongside director of Institutional Relations, Emilio Butragueño.”
News of Alonso’s surprise departure broke on Tuesday evening, and it was all but confirmed on Wednesday when the midfielder was seen in Munich arriving for his medical examination and to tie up final contract talks with the Allianz Arena club.
The transfer is set to earn Madrid around 10-million-euros, while Alonso is thought to have agreed a two-year contract worth five million euros a year with the Bavarian giants. He joins a growing number of Spanish players at the club, with Thiago, Pepe Reina and Javi Martinez already on the books.
Alonso played a key role in helping Los Blancos win the Copa del Rey and Champions League last season, but wanted to move after having his chance of first team football restricted following the arrival of Toni Kroos.
Why you selling all the good players. Who will replace when injury hit the team.
Exactly. Am afraid we don’t have injury crisis