Did Bayern Munich Just Sign Jonathan Tah on a Free Transfer?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Bayern Munich signs Jonathan Tah on a free transfer.
- His contract lasts until June 30, 2029.
- Tah will wear the number four jersey.
- He brings extensive experience and leadership to the team.
- Tah has a successful track record with Bayer Leverkusen.
Munich, May 29 (NationPress) Bayern Munich has successfully secured the signing of defender Jonathan Tah from Bayer Leverkusen without any transfer fee. The 29-year-old player has been handed a contract that extends until June 30, 2029, and he will don the number four jersey at FC Bayern.
According to a club statement, "Traditionally, the number four represents steadfast centre-backs. It symbolizes robustness, tackling prowess, and leadership – traits that define Tah. It is emblematic of defensive stability, worn by the player who unites the backline and bravely faces challenges head-on."
Born in Hamburg, Tah began his professional football journey at the Hamburger SV academy in 2009, at just 13 years old. He made his first-team debut in August 2013, achieving the record of being the youngest debutant in the club’s history at 17 years, five months, and 23 days.
After making 20 senior appearances, the centre-back was loaned to Fortuna Dusseldorf for a season, where he made 23 appearances. He then signed with Bayer Leverkusen prior to the 2015/16 season, going on to play 402 matches for the club (scoring 18 goals and providing 13 assists). He celebrated winning both the Bundesliga and DFB Cup in 2024, along with the Supercup.
On the international stage, Tah made his debut for Germany in March 2016 and participated in the European Championships in both 2016 and 2024, accumulating a total of 35 caps. He has also captained the U19 and U21 national teams.
"I’m thrilled to join FC Bayern. I aim to embrace responsibility here and strive daily for our collective success and numerous trophy wins," Tah expressed.
Sporting director Christoph Freund remarked, "With Jonathan Tah, we’ve gained a player of international caliber who will seamlessly integrate into our defensive lineup. His technical skills and leadership style will be invaluable to our team."