Bayern Munich have confirmed the arrival of left-back Omar Richards from Reading on a free transfer.
The 23-year-old, who enjoyed an impressive campaign in the Championship this year, had rejected the offer of a new contract at the Madejski Stadium and struck a deal to join up with Bayern a few months ago.
#FCBayern have signed Omar Richards. The 23-year old arrives from Championship side Reading on a free transfer and has signed a contract until 2025.#ServusOmar
— ?CHAMPIONS? (@FCBayernEN) May 27, 2021
With a spectacular end-of-season collapse seeing Reading tumble out of the playoff picture, their season is over and Richards has now left the club to complete his move to Bayern.
“My move to FC Bayern is a great honour for me," Richards told Bayern's official website. "A dream has come true.
"I’m proud to be wearing the shirt of one of the world's biggest clubs. I hope I can help the team continue to be successful in the future. My thanks to the management at FC Bayern for their trust. Our conversations were very convincing. I can't wait to be on the pitch for Bayern. Mia san mia!”
Richards, who will wear the number three shirt at the Allianz Arena, has penned a four-year contract to tie himself to Bayern until 2025.
Director Hasan Salihamidzic added: “We’re delighted Omar is coming to FC Bayern. Omar is a technically gifted player on the left side of defence. He finds good solutions going forward, he’s very alert and we trust him to play a good role in our team.”
Richards has been drafted in as cover for first-choice left-back Alphonso Davies, and his arrival means Lucas Hernandez can focus on his duties at centre-back next season instead of sharing time on the left with Davies.
Bayern have been working hard to get a head-start in the transfer market this season. On top of striking a deal to bring in Julian Nagelsmann to replace manager Hansi Flick, they have also already confirmed an agreement to sign RB Leipzig centre-back Dayot Upamecano.
2020/21 was another successful season for Bayern, who won the Bundesliga, Super Cup, DfL Supercup and the Club World Cup, but the club hope to address failures in both the DfB-Pokal and Champions League.
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Source: 90min
