Bayern Munich sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic has confirmed the signing of Benjamin Pavard from fellow Bundesliga rivals Stuttgart. The France international is scheduled to join the Bavarian giants at the end of the season after penning a five-year contract with the reigning German champions.

Speaking to reporters, Salihamidzic confirmed the signing for the highly-rated defender saying: “We’ve signed Benjamin Pavard for 1 July 2019. He’s put pen to paper on a five-year contract. He’s a young player and a world champion. We’re very glad and proud to have gained such a player for FC Bayern.”

Pavard was largely unknown to the football fraternity until his performance at the World Cup with France where he was a regular on the right side of the defence. Initially, his showing was questioned with a more experienced Djibril Sidibe in the ranks but he happened to improve as the tournament went on with his stunning long-range strike against Argentina earning him the best goal of the World Cup accolade.

At Bayern, there has been a swap between Rafinha and Joshua Kimmich for the right-back position but the arrival of Pavard should drop the former to the bench. Meanwhile for the latter, he has featured in the centre of the park on occasions and the hierarchy seem to believe the position would work best for the German for the long-term.

“Bayern have not enjoyed the best of seasons in the Bundesliga with manager Niko Kovac at the helm“ and they are currently playing six points behind Borussia Dortmund at the winter break. Nonetheless, their opponents should have more pressure than them, given “they have not won“ the title since the 2011/12 season and can’t afford multiple slip-ups during the backend of the campaign.

Bayern return from the extended winter break on January 18 where they are scheduled to face Hoffenheim on the road. The reverse fixture witnessed them win by a 3-1 scoreline with Robert Lewandowski and Arjen Robben netting in the final 10 minutes.