Daley Blind, a defender from the Netherlands, has joined Bayern Munich on a temporary deal that will last through the end of the current campaign.
The former Manchester United star recently decided to end his four-year stay at Ajax six months early to become a free agent, bringing an end to a trophy-filled time at his old club.
Numerous clubs were interested in signing the Holland international, but the defender ultimately chose to sign with the Bundesliga’s top team.
Before his club medical on Thursday, the 32 year old superstar arrived in Munich.
The German powerhouses, who are currently at the top of the Bundesliga standings, offered the defender a six-month contract.
The 32 year old Blind can play in the middle of defense or at left back, where he would cover for Hernandez, who is anticipated to miss several months after injuring a knee ligament in France’s opening 4-1 victory over Australia at the World Cup. Hernandez is likely to miss several months.
The addition of Blind, a stalwart for Holland at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, will expand manager Julian Nagelsmann’s options in midfield and defense.
The 32 year old is anxious to get started and help the German team win their 11th straight Bundesliga championship.
With injuries to star players like Lucas Hernandez and Manuel Neuer already occurring before their return to league play, he will be a major asset. He may even show to be a strong replacement for Hernandez.
Blind was a product of the Ajax academy and made 333 appearances for the Amsterdam club over the course of two four-year stretches, from 2008 to 2014 and then from 2018 to 2022, where he won the Eredivisie seven times.
The Dutchman, who is just one cap away from achieving 100 caps for his country, scored and claimed an assist in Oranje’s 3-1 victory over the USA in the round of 16 of the just concluded FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
He played in each game as the Netherlands advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals in Qatar, earning 99 caps for his nation.
He also twice won the Johan Cruyff shield and the KNVB Cup, and in 2013 he was awarded Ajax’s player of the year before being crowned the Eredivisie’s player of the year in 2014. For Ajax, Blind scored 13 goals.
Blind spent four years at Old Trafford between his two stints at Ajax, during which time the Red Devils’ most recent championships the FA Cup, Carabao Cup, Europa League, and Community Shield were won.
Hasan Salihamidzic, the sporting director at Bayern Munich, stated: “We are thrilled that Daley is joining our team. Daley is a versatile defender who can operate both inside and on the left.”
