Bayern Signs Portugal Left Back Raphaël Guerreiro on a Free Transfer from Rival Dortmund

Portugal's Raphael Guerreiro, left, challenges for the ball with Bosnia's Amar Dedic during the Euro 2024 group J qualifying soccer match between Portugal and Bosnia and Herzegovina, at the Luz Stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, Saturday, June 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

Bayern Munich signed Portugal left back Raphaël Guerreiro on a free transfer Friday from Bundesliga rival Borussia Dortmund.

Guerreiro joins on a three-year deal after his Dortmund contract expires at the end of the month. He will likely compete for the starting left back spot with Alphonso Davies but he can also play on the left of midfield and was also used as a central midfielder by Dortmund this season with some success.

“When the call came from FC Bayern, I made my decision fast,” Guerreiro said in a Bayern statement.

“It’s an honor for me to be able to play for this great club, and I also regard (Bayern coach) Thomas Tuchel highly from our time together at Dortmund (in 2016-17). I’m a player who always wants the ball — it’s about controlling the game and I want to create chances.”

Bayern edged Dortmund for the German title on goal difference in the closest title race in years. Guerreiro, who spent seven years at Dortmund, becomes the first player to join Bayern from Dortmund since defender Mats Hummels in 2016. He moved back to Dortmund three years later.

Guerreiro is Bayern’s second signing of the off-season after Leipzig midfielder Konrad Laimer, also on a free transfer.

Guerreiro has made 64 appearances for Portugal, winning the European Championship in 2016, and played in four of his country’s five games at last year’s World Cup.

Also Thursday, Wolfsburg signed Czech winger Vaclav Cerny from FC Twente after he scored 13 goals and had 11 assists in the Dutch league this season. The 25-year-old Cerny joins on a four-year contract. -AP

June 23, 2023