Harry Kane has completed his £100m move to Bayern Munich from Tottenham Hotspur after signing a four-year deal, ending his record-breaking career at Spurs.
The striker signs for an initial 100 million euros (£86.4 million) plus add-ons. He could play in his first game on Saturday against RB Leipzig in the German Super Cup.
Kane, who is 30, has scored 280 goals in 435 Premier League games for Spurs, making him their all-time top scorer.
He said in a post on social media that he “felt this was the time to leave” Spurs.
Kane was rumoured to be going to Manchester City in 2021, and this summer, his future was unclear because he only had one year left on his Spurs contract.
Before Bayern moved on him, Manchester United and Real Madrid were also rumoured to be interested. After a number of offers were turned down, a deal was reached on Thursday, and Kane flew to Munich on Friday to finish things up.
Daniel Levy, the chairman of Spurs, said that the club had “reluctantly agreed” to his move.
“We sought over a long period of time to engage Harry and his representatives in several forms of contract extension, both short and long term,” Levy said.
“Harry was clear, however, that he wanted a fresh challenge and would not be signing a new contract this summer.”
Kane has won the Premier League Golden Boot three times – in 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2020-21 – and with 213 goals from 320 games in the English top flight, needed just 48 more to break Alan Shearer’s Premier League scoring record.
Kane, who is England’s all-time leading scorer with 58 international goals and was the top scorer at the 2018 World Cup, has never won a major trophy with club or country.
“I’m very happy to be a part of FC Bayern now. Bayern is one of the biggest clubs in the world, and I’ve always said that I want to compete and prove myself at the highest level during my career,” said Kane, who will wear the number nine shirt at Bayern and has signed until 2027.
“This club is defined by its winning mentality – it feels very good to be here.”
Bayern Munich won the Bundesliga last season for the 33rd time and 11th time in a row. They have also won the Champions League six times and the German Cup 20 times.
Jan-Christian Dreesen, the CEO of Bayern, said that getting Kane was “a long process,” but that he was their “absolute dream player from the start.”
“He is a perfect fit for us and the club’s DNA in terms of both football and character,” he added.
“World-class centre forwards have always been an important factor when FC Bayern has celebrated its greatest triumphs, and we’re convinced that Harry Kane will continue this success story
“Our fans can look forward to one of the best goal scorers of our time.”
Club president Herbert Hainer said the transfer required “tenacity, bite and perseverance”, adding: “Kane will not only strengthen FC Bayern, but also be a real asset to the entire Bundesliga.”
Kane joined Spurs’ youth team in 2004, signed his first contract as a professional player in 2010, and made his first-team debut the following year.
After a few loan periods, he came back to the club and became the main striker for Spurs in the 2014–15 season. He scored 31 goals in all competitions and won the PFA Young Player of the Year Award.
He passed Jimmy Greaves as Spurs’ all-time top scorer in February 2023 when he scored his 267th club goal in a 1-0 win over Manchester City. Last season, Spurs finished in eighth place after a tough season and he scored 30 Premier League goals.
Kane posted a video on social media saying: “Obviously, a lot of emotions going through me right now and sad to be leaving the club I’ve spent 20 years of my life at, from an 11-year-old boy, to a 30-year-old man.
“There have been so many great moments and special memories; memories I will cherish forever.”
He added: “I felt this was the time to leave. I didn’t want to go into the season with a lot of unresolved talk.”I think it’s important for the new manager and the players to concentrate on trying to get Tottenham back to around the top of the table and fighting for trophies.
“It’s not a goodbye because you never know how things will pan out in the future.”
Levy said Kane was a “model professional” and “an inspiration for young players who dream of following in his footsteps”.
“We have seen a product of our academy system become one of the best players to ever pull on a Spurs shirt and become one of world football’s elite strikers,” added Levy.
“It has been a truly remarkable journey.
“I should like to thank Harry for everything he’s done for us, all the memories, all the records – we wish him and his family all the best for the future.
“It goes without saying, he’s always welcome back. He’s a much loved and valued member of the Spurs family, forever in our history.”
Spurs face Brentford in their first match of the season on Sunday and manager Ange Postecoglou said the club would “move forward without Harry”.
