### Bayern Munich Strengthens Defense with Jonathan Tah Signing Bayern Munich has officially announced the signing of German international defender Jonathan Tah from Bundesliga rivals Bayer Leverkusen. The 29-year-old center-back has signed a four-year contract, which will keep him at the club until 2029, and he will don the number four shirt. This move comes as Bayern prepares for the upcoming Club World Cup, aiming to bolster their defensive lineup after a successful season in the Bundesliga, where they emerged as champions [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6390053/2025/05/29/jonathan-tah-bayern-transfer][https://apnews.com/article/bayern-munich-jonathan-tah-leverkusen-4eb9ce3f720e6daa354a3e92ad2b7b36]. ### Breakdown of the Transfer Announcement 1. **Transfer Details**: - Jonathan Tah has joined Bayern Munich on a **free transfer** after his contract with Bayer Leverkusen expired. - The contract duration is **four years**, extending until **June 30, 2029** [https://sports.yahoo.com/article/bayern-sign-germany-defender-tah-085100307.html][https://fcbayern.com/en/news/2025/05/fc-bayern-sign-jonathan-tah]. 2. **Player Background**: - Tah, a **29-year-old** central defender, has made **402 appearances** for Bayer Leverkusen, contributing to their Bundesliga title win in the **2023-24 season** [https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/germany-defender-tah-joins-bayern-munich-5158651][https://www.bluewin.ch/en/sport/football/xhakas-teammate-tah-moves-to-bayern-munich-2716143.html]. - He is recognized for his strong defensive skills and has been a key player for the German national team. 3. **Strategic Importance**: - The signing is seen as a strategic move by Bayern Munich to enhance their defense ahead of the **Club World Cup**, indicating their ambition to maintain dominance in both domestic and international competitions [https://espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/45371166/jonathan-tah-bayern-munich-sign-bayer-leverkusen-defender][https://news.abplive.com/sports/bayern-munich-sign-veteran-defender-jonathan-tah-from-bundesliga-rivals-bayer-leverkusen-1775896]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Contract Duration**: 4 years (until June 30, 2029) [https://fcbayern.com/en/news/2025/05/fc-bayern-sign-jonathan-tah]. - **Previous Club**: Bayer Leverkusen - **Appearances for Leverkusen**: 402 matches [https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/germany-defender-tah-joins-bayern-munich-5158651]. - **Bundesliga Title with Leverkusen**: 2023-24 season [https://www.bluewin.ch/en/sport/football/xhakas-teammate-tah-moves-to-bayern-munich-2716143.html]. ### Conclusion: A Strategic Acquisition for Bayern Munich In summary, **Bayern Munich's acquisition of Jonathan Tah marks a significant enhancement to their defensive lineup**. The club has successfully secured a player with extensive experience and proven capabilities, which is crucial as they prepare for upcoming challenges, including the Club World Cup. 1. **Signing Overview**: Jonathan Tah joins Bayern Munich on a free transfer, signing a four-year contract. 2. **Player Impact**: His experience and skills are expected to strengthen Bayern's defense significantly. 3. **Future Prospects**: This move aligns with Bayern's strategy to maintain their competitive edge in both domestic and international football [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6390053/2025/05/29/jonathan-tah-bayern-transfer][https://apnews.com/article/bayern-munich-jonathan-tah-leverkusen-4eb9ce3f720e6daa354a3e92ad2b7b36].