Mario Götze, labelled as "the German Messi" by FC Bayern legend Franz Beckenbauer, has swapped yellow for red
Mario Götze, labelled as "the German Messi" by FC Bayern legend Franz Beckenbauer, has swapped yellow for red

Transfer coup of the season: Mario Götze

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Dortmund - 's future seemed set in stone when Borussia Dortmund announced the midfield starlet's contract extension until 2016 in March of last year.

Harsh, but fair

Yet, a mere 13 months later, the 21-year-old decided to move South to join freshly-crowned treble winners FC Bayern Munich in the summer, as the player and club made use of a handy buy-out clause.

"We're obviously extremely disappointed, but at the same time it has to be stressed that both Mario and his agent have behaved strictly in line with the terms of his contract," commented Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke. However, the timing of the announcement seemed anything but convenient, Bayern confirming media reports the day before Dortmund were due to face Real Madrid CF in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final.

Götze was received warmly by the Yellow-Black faithful against Real, but his good-bye trip came to a sudden end after pulling out in the return leg less than 15 minutes into the game, his thigh injury not allowing the 22-time international to feature in the last league games as well as the Champions Final defeat against his future employers.

End of Season awards

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