Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich have confirmed the signing of Alvaro Odriozola from Real Madrid on loan.
The 24-year-old only made the move to the Bernabeu in an eye catching £27m transfer from Real Betis in 2018 but has struggled to nail down a starting berth since.
Dani Carvajal has remained Real Madrid’s regular right-back in that time, while summer signing Eder Militao’s ability to act as cover in that position may have convinced the Spanish giant to allow the defender to make the move.
Odriozola was known to be keen on finding regular first team football elsewhere and will now compete to start ahead of Benjamin Pavard, who only joined Bayern in the summer himself.
🗣 Karl-Heinz #Rummenigge: "Following internal discussions, we agreed to follow the wishes of head coach Hansi Flick in strengthening the defence and decided to go for Álvaro Odriozola."#ServusÁlvaro #FCBayern pic.twitter.com/VUbgPDO1RL
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) January 22, 2020
The France international hasn’t been wholly convincing, however, and will need to improve in order to ensure his new positional rival doesn’t get the minutes that he craves.
Odriozola has started just four LaLiga matches this season, having done so 14 times in his debut campaign in the Spanish capital, and was sent off in his last league appearance for the club in a shock defeat to Mallorca way back in October.
#ServusÁlvaro 🔴⚪2️⃣ pic.twitter.com/OXcjDp19Pe
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) January 22, 2020
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“Following internal discussions, we agreed to follow the wishes of head coach Hansi Flick in strengthening the defence and decided to go for Álvaro Odriozola. We are delighted about the signing and thank Real Madrid for the friendly and cooperative talks,” said Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
Sporting director Hasan Salihamidžić said: “We are convinced Alvaro Odriozola will help our team with his qualities. I am very happy we’ve found a full-back like him.”
Bayern moved to second in the Bundesliga table with a win at the weekend but remain four points adrift of leaders RB Leipzig in their bid to retain the crown.