Sunderland AFC have completed the signing of Bayern Munich defender Jan Kirchhoff, for an undisclosed fee.
The 25-year-old, 6ft 5” centre-back has put pen-to-paper on an eighteen-month deal which will see him remain at the Stadium of Light until June 2017.
The former Germany U21 international began his career at FC Mainz, graduating from the youth academy to make 58 appearances for the first team, before earning himself a move to Bundesliga giants FC Bayern in 2013.
Whilst there he had two spells on loan at FC Schalke, adding to the UEFA Champions League experience he had already garnered with Pep Guardiola’s side.
Speaking about the signing, Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce said: “Jan has a very good pedigree and even though he is still relatively young he has experience of football at the highest level, including the UEFA Champions League.
“He has real versatility as a player, being comfortable in both the centre back and midfield roles. He is desperately keen to experience the Premier League and our job now is to do everything we can to help him settle and adapt quickly to life in English football, so he can have a positive impact on our squad.”
Kirchhoff will wear the number 27 shirt.
Born: 01 October 1990, Germany
Position: Defender
Height: 194cm
FC Mainz 58 Appearances
Bayern Munich 7 Appearances
Schalke [loan] 16 Appearances