Dayot Upamecano (l.) and Robert Lewandowski (r.) will be teammates at Bayern Munich next season. - © IMAGO / photoarena/Eisenhuth
Dayot Upamecano (l.) and Robert Lewandowski (r.) will be teammates at Bayern Munich next season. - © IMAGO / photoarena/Eisenhuth
bundesliga

Dayot Upamecano agrees to join Bayern Munich from RB Leipzig

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Dayot Upamecano has agreed to join Bayern Munich from RB Leipzig, the 22-year-old France international moving to the Allianz Arena in the summer on a long-term deal until 30 June 2026.

Upamecano has been a revelation since joining Leipzig from Red Bull Salzburg in 2017, amassing 139 appearances in all competitions and helping Julian Nagelsmann's side to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals last year.

The fastest centre-back in the league this term with a top speed of 22 mph, Upamecano will see out the season in Saxony, with Die Roten Bullen currently Bayern's closest pursuers at the top of the Bundesliga standings.

"Dayot's become a cornerstone of the team," said Leipzig sporting director Markus Krösche. "He's developed into an exceptional defender, and is a top guy. It's a shame for Leipzig that he's leaving, but expected."

David Alaba and Jerome Boateng are both out of contract this summer, and the champions - who on Thursday completed a historic sextuple by beating UANL Tigres in the FIFA Club World Cup final - were keen to bolster in the position.

Three-time France international Upamecano could yet have them for company in 2021/22, with Niklas Süle and Lucas Hernandez also capable of occupying Bayern's central defensive positions.

Watch: Upamecano, a very special defender

"We’re happy that we’ve been able to sign Dayot Upamecano for FC Bayern," commented sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic. "We’re convinced that Dayot will be a very important member of our team in the coming years."