Bayern Munich have officially announced the signing of Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina in a £2.5m deal.
Torwart Pepe #Reina vor Wechsel von Liverpool zum FCB. #Rummenigge bestätigt Einigung. Bald sportmedizinische Untersuchung.
— FC Bayern München (@FCBayern) August 5, 2014
“Goalkeeper Pepe Reina (@PReina25) set for move from @LFC to FCBayern. Rummenigge confirms agreement. Medical to follow soon,” Bayern Munich posted on their official Twitter feed.
Pepe Reina was surplus to requirement at Anfield and the club were looking to sell the long serving goalkeeper. The 31-year-old Spanish goalkeeper spent the last season on loan at Napoli from Liverpool. Reina was signed by former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez in 2005. The Spaniard enjoyed few good seasons at the club, before his form deteriorated, forcing Rodgers to look for options elsewhere. Liverpool signed Simon Mignolet from Sunderland last season and will now be looking to sign a back-up goalkeeper.
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Bayern’s chairman, told his club’s website: “The player will come to Munich in the next few days for a medical examination and to sign his contract.”
He added: “Pepe Reina was eager to come to Bayern Munich. He wanted to embark on this adventure even though he knows that, in Manuel Neuer, he has a keeper in front of him who, if nothing changes, will always remain the No1.”
Former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez also wanted to sign the Spanish international, but his wages made any deal difficult for the Italian club. Earlier last season, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers confirmed that he wasn’t impressed with Pepe Reina’s attitude and that his goodbye letter before leaving for Napoli on loan was unnecessary.
“He’s already written his letter, hasn’t he? He wrote a goodbye letter, didn’t he?” Rodgers said,
“I was surprised at the letter – when you are a loan player I would expect that he should come back, but obviously Pepe made it very clear when he went to Napoli that he was looking to move.
“He penned a great, big letter saying he was going to work with the best manager that he’d worked with and thanked for his time for Liverpool. So, for me, it probably sounded like he’d made his decision there.”
Pepe Reina made 394 appearances for Liverpool, winning the FA Cup, League Cup, FA Community Shield and European Super Cup. Reina is a fan favourite at Anfield and his love for Liverpool is no secret. Liverpool fans will not be happy to see one of the club’s legend leave, but it was the best move for all parties.