MUNICH, Germany: Injury-hit Bayern Munich successfully brought forward the signing of Spain winger Bryan Zaragoza from La Liga club Granada, the German club announced on Thursday.
The 22-year-old officially arrives on a loan until the summer, after which the previous deal, which runs until 2029, will come into effect.
Bayern paid a reported 19 million euros ($21 million) to sign the winger, which includes a four-million euro loan fee.
Bayern were under pressure to add to their attacking options, with forwards Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman expected to be out for several weeks with long-term injuries.
"In football you always have to be flexible and so we've reacted to the current situation," Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund said in a statement.
Signed in December, Zaragoza was set to join the German champions at the end of the season, but has completed a medical in Munich and will be available for Saturday's home clash with Borussia Moenchengladbach.
"I'm moving to Bayern to grow here at one of the biggest clubs in the world," Zaragoza said in a statement.
"I'm very grateful to Granada for the great time we've had together and everything the club has made possible for me.
"I'm looking forward to what's in store. We're aiming high."
A Granada youth product, Zaragoza has scored six goals and laid on two assists in 21 La Liga matches this season, including netting a double in a 2-2 draw with Barcelona in October.
In the same month, Zaragoza made his debut for Spain, coming off the bench at half-time in a 2-0 win over Scotland.
Second last in La Liga with more than half of the season played, Granada had been reluctant to allow Zaragoza to leave, having rebuffed a previous attempt earlier in the transfer window.
Bayern have already added veteran defender Eric Dier, right-back Sacha Boey and teenage striker Jonah Kusi-Asare this winter.
Bayern are second in the league on 47 points, two behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen.
The two sides clash in Leverkusen on February 10.
The German transfer window closes at 1700 GMT on Thursday.
Injury-hit Bayern advance Zaragoza signing
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Injury-hit Bayern advance Zaragoza signing
- Bayern paid a reported $21 million to sign the winger, which includes a four-million euro loan fee
- Bayern were under pressure to add to their attacking options
Most women’s national team players earn less than $20,000, FIFPRO study shows
- Some 66 percent of players earn below $20,000 annually from football
- Nearly one-third of respondents reported earning between $0 and $4,999 from football
MANCHESTER: Two-thirds of women’s national team players earn less than $20,000 annually, according to a new FIFPRO survey that highlights persistent financial insecurity and structural gaps in the women’s game.
The global players union and affiliated national players unions surveyed 407 footballers from 41 nations who participated in the UEFA Women’s Euros, Copa America Femenina, the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and the OFC Women’s Nations Cup.
Some 66 percent of players earn below $20,000 annually from football and nearly one-third of respondents reported earning between $0 and $4,999 from football, while only a small minority reached higher income brackets.
Professional clubs remain the main source of income, followed by national team payments, yet one in four players still rely on jobs outside football to make ends meet.
“Financial stability is a cornerstone of any career,” said FIFPRO’s Director of Women’s Football Alex Culvin. “The data is very clear: most players are earning insufficient income to ensure secure careers within the game.
“It is a risk to the sustainability of the sport because players will be inclined to leave football early to make ends meet.”
The survey, conducted between August and October, also revealed short-term contracts remain common: 33 percent of players were signed for one year or less, and 22 percent had no contract at all.
International competition schedules continue to strain players, with 58 percent saying pre-match rest was inadequate and 57 percent reporting insufficient recovery after games.
Travel conditions are also an issue, with three-quarters of players flying economy class during tournaments, with only 11 percent in premium economy or business.
While FIFPRO noted improvements since their 2022 survey – including increased prize money and a player-dedicated share at the Women’s Euros – similar reforms have not been replicated across other confederations.
Culvin said stakeholders must “continue to raise standards to support the increased professionalization of the women’s game.”
