Pepe Reina seals Bayern Munich switch from Liverpool
Spanish international goalkeeper Pepe Reina has sealed his impending £2.5miilion move to Bayern Munich from Liverpool, the club announced.
The move was announced by the German Bundesliga champions a few days back, with only a medical left to put the rubber stamp on it.
With that formality completed, Reina was finally pictured holding a Bayern Munich shirt aloft.
Bei der 'Allianz FC Bayern Team Presentation' am Samstag wird @PReina25 zum 1. Mal im FCB-Trikot auflaufen. #FCBDay1 pic.twitter.com/8iMZ5q6CEt
— FC Bayern München (@FCBayern) August 8, 2014
Reina moves to Munich after spending last season loan at Napoli as he fell out of favour with current Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers.
Reina’s career at Liverpool has been in flux ever since Rodgers took over at Liverpool at the beginning of 2012/13 season. The ex-Swansea manager saw the then 29-year old as weak link and immediately brought in a replacement in Simon Mignolet.
That prompted Reina’s swift move to North Italy. However, Rafa Benitez refused to pay £3.95million release clause in the Spaniard’s contract to make the move a permanent one at the end of last season.
Reina arrived at Merseyside in 2005 from Villareal, spending eight seasons at Anfield. In these 8 seasons, he became a fan favourite as he made 394 appearances for the Kopites.
The La Masia product would go on to win the FA Cup in 2006 and the League Cup in 2012 with Liverpool.
One of the best keepers on his day, Reina was also bestowed the award of the “Premier League Golden Glove” for three consecutive seasons from 2005 to 2008 in the Premier League.
Reina is pinned in to take over the back-up goalkeeper spot at Bayern, deputising their undisputed number one, Manuel Neuer.
Reina, after completion of the switch said that the lure of winning trophies was the main reason for his switch to the Bavarians.