It’s official: Bastian Schweinsteiger to crouch for Manchester United

Manchester: German international captain Bastian Schweinsteiger completed his move to Manchester United on Monday and said they were the only club he would have considered leaving for and ending his 17 years stay with German champions Bayern Munich.

The 30-year-old 2014 World Cup winning midfielder, who was a key figure in the 2013 treble-winning Bayern side which won the Champions League, league and cup crowns signed a three-year contract.

According to both the German and UK media, United will pay Bayern around 14m (19.47m euros, $21.72m) for Schweinsteiger, who has been a constant in the success of Bayern and the massive improvement of the German national side's fortunes over the past decade.

The move reunited the combative midfielder, the first German to play for United, with club manager Louis van Gaal, under whom he played at Bayern from 2009 and 2011.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Bayern Munich, it has been an incredible journey and I didn't take the decision to leave lightly," said Schweinsteiger, who made over 500 apparances for Bayern since making his senior debut aged just 18.

"Manchester United is the only club that I would have left Munich for. I feel ready for this new and exciting challenge in what I regard as the most competitive league in the world and I am looking forward to working with Louis van Gaal again.

"I will never forget my time at Bayern Munich and I would like to thank everyone at the club and the fans for the great memories."

Van Gaal, who has once again been allowed to spend big to try and return United to being title contenders after two seasons of failing to mount a serious challenge, said he was delighted to have acquired a proven match winner.

"Bastian is, of course, no stranger to me," said van Gaal.

"I worked with him during my time at Bayern Munich and I am truly delighted he is joining Manchester United.

"His record speaks for itself; he has won every honour at club level and was a major part of the successful Germany World Cup-winning team last summer."

The completion of his move to United was not the only big announcement by the club on Monday as they also secured the signature of France international midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin on a four year contract.

The arrivals of Schweinsteiger and Schneiderlin continue United's bold buying spree in the close season following earlier deals for Dutch international Memphis Depay and Torino and Italy defender Matteo Darmian.