Bayern Munich Sign Germany Defender Jonathan Tah Until 2029

Bayern Munich have officially signed German international Jonathan Tah on a free transfer from Bayer Leverkusen, the club announced on Thursday.

The 29-year-old centre-back has penned a four-year contract that will keep him at the Allianz Arena until 2029.

Bayern had shown interest in Tah during the summer of 2024 but chose not to meet Leverkusen’s transfer valuation with just a year left on his deal. With Eric Dier departing for AS Monaco at the end of the season, Bayern turned to Tah to bolster their central defense.

“I’m very happy to be at Bayern. I want to take on responsibility here and work hard every day so that we’re successful as a team and win lots of trophies together,” Tah said in the club statement.

Tah leaves Leverkusen after a decade of service, having played a pivotal role in their historic unbeaten domestic double during the 2023–24 season. Although Leverkusen hoped to keep him, the defender informed the club he would not be renewing his contract beyond 2025, prompting a farewell at his final home appearance in May.

Jonathan Tah, the Hamburg-born centre-back, has joined Bayern Munich amid reported interest from Barcelona, where he could have reunited with former Germany boss Hansi Flick. Since making his senior debut in 2016, Tah has earned 35 caps for the national team and has become a mainstay in Julian Nagelsmann’s squad, starting all but one match he’s been available for since September 2023.

“In Jonathan Tah we’ve acquired a player with international experience and quality, who won’t need much time to establish himself in our defence.

“He’ll be a good and important addition for us with his technical qualities as well as his manner and the way he leads,” said sporting director, Christoph Freund.

The in-form defender is part of Germany’s squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League finals. The hosts will face Portugal in the semi-finals in Munich on June 4, with the winner set to meet either France or Spain in the final at the Allianz Arena on June 7.

Meanwhile, Bayern had also been eyeing Tah’s Leverkusen teammate Florian Wirtz. However, the midfielder now appears to be on his way to Liverpool, after Leverkusen confirmed there is “concrete interest” from the Premier League champions.