Van Bommel seals AC Milan move
Reuters - Tuesday 25 January 2011, 11:07
BERLIN - Bayern Munich captain Mark van
Bommel has joined Serie A leaders AC Milan after losing his
starting place with the German champions this season, the clubs
said on Tuesday.
"Captain Mark van Bommel is joining AC Milan effective
immediately," Bayern said in a statement. "The Dutch
international asked for his contract to become void to transfer
for sporting reasons."
The 33-year-old midfielder has signed a short-term deal
until June, injury-hit Milan said on their website.
The Dutch international, who joined Bayern from Barcelona in
2006 after winning the Champions League, had dropped down the
pecking order under coach Louis van Gaal with the arrival of
Brazilian Luiz Gustavo in January further hampering his chances.
"I leave Bayern with a heavy heart but my head held high,"
said Van Bommel, who won two German championships and Cups and
reached last year's Champions League final before playing at the
World Cup where Netherlands reached the final.
"I spent four-and-a-half happy and successful years (at
Bayern) and would like to thank the club and the fans. Bayern
will always occupy a big place in my heart," he said.
Milan are hoping he will provide some solutions to their
injury crisis in midfield although Van Bommel is ineligible to
play for the Italians in this season's Champions League having
already featured for Bayern in the group stage.
"It was Mark's specific request to release him from his
contract so he can transfer for sporting reasons," said Bayern
CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
"Mark was always an exemplary professional, an important and
successful player. Based on those achievements we granted his
wish," he said.
The Italian side have midfielders Andrea Pirlo, Kevin-Prince
Boateng, Clarence Seedorf and Gennaro Gattuso among others
injured although they signed left wing-back Urby Emanuelson from
Ajax Amsterdam on Sunday. He is also ineligible for this
season's Champions League.
Milan, who have said they are interested in Genoa's Italy
left-back Domenico Criscito, face Tottenham Hotspur in the last
16 next month.