Sawt Falasteen - Bayern sign Morocco midfielder Saibari on five-year deal

The midfielder joins the German champions for a reported fee of 50 million ($57 million).

An attacking midfielder with a goal threat, the 25-year-old will further strengthen a ruthless Bayern forward line which already includes Harry Kane, Michael Olise, Luis Diaz, Jamal Musiala, Lennart Karl and Serge Gnabry.

"As a child, you dream of signing a contract with a club like Bayern –- everybody knows it's one of the world's biggest clubs," Saibari said in a statement.

"Bayern compete for the biggest titles like the Champions League every year, and I want to win as many trophies as possible here."

The midfielder has been among the best players at the World Cup as Morocco made it through to the last 16.

He scored goals in each of Morocco's three group matches before converting the final penalty in their last 32 victory over the Netherlands on Monday.

Bayern sporting director Max Eberl said the club were "delighted to have secured the services of Ismael Saibari, one of the most exciting players at the World Cup."

Saibari's transfer has been rumoured for weeks, with the midfielder reportedly missing a training session in New Jersey earlier in the tournament to undergo a medical ahead of a move to the Bavarian giants.

Born in Spain, Saibari moved to Belgium at a young age but elected to represent Morocco, making his debut in 2023.

Bayern are looking to get even better after a stellar season in 2025-26.

The Bavarian giants won a league and cup double while setting a record for goals scored in a Bundesliga campaign, but fell agonisingly short in the Champions League.

Bayern were eliminated in the semi-finals by eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain 6-5 on aggregate.

O.Salim--SF-PST