BERLIN – Bayern Munich on Jan 11 signed Eric Dier on loan from Tottenham Hotspur until the end of the season, with the England defender calling the move a “dream come true”.
The deal allows Dier, 29, to link up again with former Spurs teammate Harry Kane, who moved to Germany in August.
“As a child, you want to play for a club like Bayern one day,” Dier said, calling his new side “one of the biggest in the world with an incredible history”.
Earlier before the announcement, Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel confirmed the signing was imminent, saying that “he is in Munich”.
The player has signed a short-term deal with his new employers which will run until June 30.
Dier, whose contract with Tottenham was also set to expire in the summer, arrives for a reported fee of €4 million (S$5.8 million).
Often deployed as a centre-back, the versatile Englishman, who spent a decade at Tottenham, can also play as a defensive midfielder or as right-back.
Tuchel has been looking for additional support in defence, particularly with Kim Min-jae set to miss several games as he represents South Korea at the Asian Cup.
The coach said he saw Dier as a “specialist in the position of central defender” and told reporters “first and foremost, this will free up Leon Goretzka for midfield”.
Kim’s absence means Tuchel has only two recognised centre-backs, Matthijs de Ligt and Dayot Upamecano, remaining in the squad.
Dier was born in England but grew up in Portugal, moving from boyhood club Sporting Lisbon to Tottenham in 2014.
He has made 49 appearances for England, scoring three times.
He has, however, played only four times for Spurs this season.
Following his departure, Romania defender Radu Dragusin has joined Tottenham from Genoa until 2030 for an undisclosed fee, the club announced on the same day.
British media reported that Tottenham paid a fee of around £26 million (S$44 million).
“We are delighted to announce the signing of Radu Dragusin from Serie A side Genoa, subject to international clearance and a work permit,” Spurs said in a statement.
Dragusin, 21, has appeared in every league game for Genoa since joining them on loan from Juventus in 2022.
His move was made permanent in 2023 after Genoa earned promotion to the Serie A.
Spurs defender Djed Spence, who recently returned from a four-month spell at Leeds United, joined Genoa on loan for the rest of the season.
Genoa added that they will have the option to buy Spence, 23, at the end of the season.
Tottenham are in fifth place in the English Premier League and they will next travel to Old Trafford on Jan 14 to take on Manchester United. AFP, REUTERS
