Douglas Costa A Lot Of Money

Bayern Munich have announced the signing of Brazilian attacking midfielder Douglas Costa from Shakhtar Donetsk with the fee thought to be £30million

The 24-year-old, who was reportedly a target for Barclays Premier League club Chelsea, has signed a five-year contract with the German champions.

Bayern executive Jan-Christian Dreesen told the Bundesliga side’s official website: “We are very pleased we were able to sign Douglas Costa.

“His five-year contract to 2020 also shows we are planning for the future. We hope he gets accustomed to life in Munich quickly and will improve the team.”

Douglas scored 28 league goals across his six seasons with Shakhtar but is better known for his creativity than his finishing.

His capture will offer Bayern much-needed cover next season after they negotiated the last without the services of injured wingers Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben for long periods.

Douglas told fcbayern.de: “Today I have realised a dream. I am proud to play for Bayern, for whom so many famous Brazilians have already played.

“I am joining a great team and will do everything I can to live up to expectations.”

Douglas won a domestic treble of the Ukrainian league, cup and Super Cup in 2010-11 and has made nine senior appearances for Brazil, scoring his only goal against Peru at the ongoing Copa America.

Having represented the Selecao until they were eliminated by Paraguay in the quarter-finals, Douglas has been given until July 11 to link up with his new team-mates for pre-season training.

Bayern director of sport Matthias Sammer, who watched Douglas closely when Shakhtar played the Germans in the last 16 of last season’s Champions League, said: “He has great technical skills.

“He has a powerful left foot, is very mobile and is extremely fast.

“Douglas decided to leave Brazil for Ukraine and he is now in the Bundesliga after deciding Bayern Munich was the next step to take in his career.”