Bayern Munich have confirmed the signing of Shakhtar Donetsk star Douglas Costa, who put pen to paper on a long-term five-year contract in Germany on Wednesday morning.
Shakhtar, who relinquished their stranglehold on the Ukrainian title to Dynamo Kiev in 2014/15, additionally confirmed that the transfer fee will be €30m.
Speaking to FCBayern.de about the move, Costa said, “For me, today fulfilled a dream. I am proud now to play at Bayern, where so many famous Brazilians have already played. I look forward to being part of a great team and will do everything to meet the expectations.”
Costa has been with Shakhtar since leaving Gremio in his homeland in 2009. He has enjoyed great success in that time, but has regularly been linked with a move away over the last 12 months.
Last summer, the 24-year-old attacking midfielder was one of a group of players who threatened to quit the club and went AWOL in France while on pre-season tour after violence erupted in and around Donetsk. The situation with the nervous players was later resolved, but was seemingly never fixed completely.
Costa played 22 times for Shakhtar in domestic competitions last season, during what has been a rather testing times for the club and its players given the upheaval caused by the ongoing political strife.
He also made eight Champions League appearances, including both legs against Bayern in the last 16 tie in February and March. Costa helped his side keep the Germans at bay in the first leg, but was helpless as Bayern steamrolled to 7-0 victory in the second. Though some are perhaps sceptical about the level of quality that Costa could add to what is already a world class attacking unit at the Allianz Arena, the player has the support of fellow countryman and former Bayern favourite, Giovane Elber.
The retired striker recent told Bild, “Bayern are always looking forward. We know that Ribery and Robben’s time will eventually be over. And then Bayern has to replace them.
“Douglas can create, but it is not an easy task for him. One hopes, of course, that the boy quickly becomes a hit.”
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