Football: Philippe Coutinho joins Bayern Munich

By Fatih Erel

ISTANBUL (AA) - Germany's Bayern Munich on Monday announced the transfer of Brazilian international Philippe Coutinho on a season-long loan from La Liga giants Barcelona.

Bayern Munich also holds an option to buy Coutinho from Barca.

"Coutinho will initially spend a season on loan from Spanish champions Barcelona. FC Bayern possess an option to buy the 27-year-old following the expiry of his loan contract on 30 June 2020," the German club said in a statement.

Bayern Munich will pay €8.5 million (9.4 million) to Barcelona and the player’s wages. The agreement also includes an option to buy for the German club fixed at €120 million, Barcelona announced.

After singing for the German club, Coutinho said: "For me, this move means a new challenge in a new country with one of the best clubs in Europe. I'm very much looking forward to that. Like FC Bayern, I have big ambitions and I'm convinced that I can achieve them together with my new teammates."

Bayern’s CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said on the transfer: "We've been working on bringing in Philippe Coutinho for quite some time and we're very happy that we’ve been able to complete this transfer. Our thanks go to FC Barcelona for agreeing to the transfer. With his creativity and outstanding skills, Philippe is a player who will immediately strengthen our attack."

He previously played for Italian powerhouse Inter Milan, Brazilian club Vasco da Gama, Espanyol in Spain and England's Liverpool.

Coutinho also helped his country, scoring 15 goals in 55 international matches.