Daley Blind joins Bayern Munich

Daley Blind has joined Bayern Munich on a six-month contract, with the Netherlands international defender adding top-level quality and experience to the Bundesliga champions’ squad.

Blind, who turns 33 in March, moves to Bayern after his contract with Ajax was ended by mutual consent in late December. He will provide coach Julian Nagelsmann with an additional option at centre-back following the season-ending injury Lucas Hernandez suffered at the World Cup.

The former Manchester United man will link up with compatriot Matthijs de Ligt and France international Dayot Upamecano at the heart of the Bayern backline. Like Hernandez, Blind can also play at left-back, and so provides cover for Alphonso Davies.

“I can hardly wait to play here,” said Blind, who joins on a deal that runs until the end of the 2022/23 campaign and looks set to rack up a 500th senior career appearance in Bayern colours this season. “We’ve got the most important part of the season coming up, where it’s about titles – and a club like Bayern can win every trophy. The hunger for titles here at the club was key in my decision. I hope I can bring my experience to help the team. I’ll give everything for Bayern Munich.”

Blind started all of the Netherlands’ World Cup games in Qatar, taking his tally of international caps to 99 before De Oranje were eliminated by eventual champions Argentina in a gripping quarter-final penalty shoot-out.

“We’re delighted that Daley is joining our team,” said sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic. “Daley is a versatile defender, capable of playing on the left or in the centre. He has great international experience and leadership qualities. I’m sure he’ll help us.”

Blind followed in the footsteps of his father, Danny, by playing for Ajax, making his first-team debut in 2008. He won the UEFA Europa League during a four-year spell at United before returning to Amsterdam in 2018, and claimed the last of seven Eredivisie titles he won with Ajax last season.