Bayern Munich sell Toni Kroos to Real Madrid

We've been waiting for the move to be announced for weeks (months?) now, and it's now finally official. Toni Kroos, the former East Germany's one and only World Cup winner, has left Bayern Munich and officially signed for Real Madrid.

The club did not release the final transfer fee, but Bild is reporting that it is €30 million. For a player in the final year of his contract, this is quite a good fee. The contract will be for six seasons and a reported €6.7 million each year.

"We thank Toni Kroos for his time in Munich," said Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, "we have achieved great success here together with him. We wish him and his family all the best in Madrid and with Real."

Kroos had a very strong World Cup until the Final, where he was timid and fairly poor compared to his normal standards. Luckily had the warrior of all warriors, Der Fußballgott in the midfield with him to save the day. There's no doubting Toni's contribution to Bayern over the last two seasons. However, the arrive of Thiago, David Alaba's ability to play in the midfield, and the emergence of Pierre Hojbjerg, Bayern were willing to sell Kroos now with a year left on his contract than letting him walk for free next summer. We wish him well.

A quick look at Bayern's summer of transfers shows us that the club still is the best at this transfer game. Mario Mandzukic and Toni Kroos have brought the club a reportedly €52 million in transfer fees. In purchasing Robert Lewandowski, Sebastian Rode, and Juan Bernat, Rummenigge and company have only spent around €10 million. That's some good business. Bayern still have €42 million in the old war chest to spend, if they want.

I suspect we'll see more transfers into the club in the coming weeks.