BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Bayern Munich secured the transfer of midfielder Thiago Alcantara from Barcelona on Sunday, reuniting him with coach Pep Guardiola.
Barcelona said Bayern had agreed to pay 25 million euros ($32.75 million) for 22-year-old Thiago, a son of Mazinho, a member of Brazil’s 1994 World Cup champions. The deal also included an agreement to play an exhibition between the clubs at some point in the next four years.
Bayern said that Thiago will sign a four-year contract and the cost to the German club will be 20 million euros ($26.2 million) after proceeds from the exhibition and an agreement by Thiago to forego some payments.
Thiago helped Spain’s under-21 team win the European championship last month, scoring a hat trick in the final against Italy.
Born in Italy to Brazilian parents, Thiago came up through Barcelona’s training academy and debuted for its first team in 2008. Thiago’s 20-year-old brother Rafina was with Barcelona B in the second division last season.
