ISTANBUL — Germany’s forward Leroy Sané shared a heartfelt message with Bayern Munich supporters on Thursday, bidding them farewell as he prepares to join Turkish champions Galatasaray on a free transfer.
Late on Wednesday, Galatasaray confirmed through social media that Sané had arrived in Istanbul to engage in negotiations.
“After spending five intense years in Munich, I’ve made the decision to begin a new chapter in the coming season,” Sané expressed on Instagram. “I’m incredibly proud to have donned the jersey of the top and most prominent club in Germany for over 200 matches. I will always hold dear the titles we secured together.”
Sané’s contract with Bayern is set to expire at the end of the month, yet he remains part of the team’s lineup for the Club World Cup hosted in the U.S.
Efforts to reach an agreement on contract extension continued throughout the season without success, despite Bayern having successfully renegotiated contracts with players like Jamal Musiala and Joshua Kimmich.
Sané’s departure marks the end of a five-year tenure at Bayern, a club he joined in 2020 following an extensive pursuit that reportedly cost close to 50 million euros from Manchester City.
During his spell in Munich, Sané clinched the Bundesliga title four times. Nonetheless, he received criticism in recent seasons for inconsistency, especially in European competitions. This season, he netted 13 goals in 45 appearances across all tournaments, with only one goal scored in the Champions League.