After weeks of strange speculation and back and forth, Mats Hummels is set for a return to where it all started.
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Borussia Dortmund has confirmed the transfer of Hummels to fellow German side Bayern Munich, although the centerback has yet to pass a physical. According to German outlet Bild, the transfer fee will range somewhere between $39 and 43 million.
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Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke released the following message in a club statement confirming the move:
The 27-year-old defender made over 300 appearances for Dortmund in all competitions, after joining the club from Munich in 2006-07. In his first stint with Bayern’s senior team, Hummels made two appearances for the club before making the switch to Dortmund.
The two sides will battle one last time this season before Hummels completes the move. Bayern and Dortmund will face off on May 21 in the DFB Pokal final at the Olympiastadion.
Hummels will follow in the steps of several other high-profile Black-Yellow players to make the move to Bayern, including star striker Robert Lewandowski and Mario Gotze. New Bayern manager Carlo Ancelotti will take charge of the team once Pep Guardiola makes his way west to Premier League side Manchester City.