Schalke and Germany midfielder Leon Goretzka believes his summer move to Bayern Munich is necessary to further his career.

As confirmed in January, the 23-year-old will officially become a Bayern player on 1 July, following five years in the royal blue of Schalke.

Watch: Goretzka taking his talents to Bayern

"I came to the conclusion that now is the right time to make the step," Goretzka told Funke-Mediengruppe. "I had the feeling that I needed to go out of my comfort zone in order to improve. I thought long and hard about it, and I was prepared for the fallout. It was the be-all and end-all for some; while others understood. I certainly didn't want to offend any of the Schalke fans."

Goretzka is the second high-profile name to leave Schalke for Bayern in recent years, after goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. To this day, both transfers are anathema to some royal-blue die hards, but Goretzka's commitment to his current employers remains firmly in place.

- © DFL DEUTSCHE FUSSBALL LIGA / Lukas Schulze / Getty Images

"Bayern approach the Champions League with completely different expectations," Goretzka said. "At Schalke, the focus is purely on getting out of the group. I want to be part of that at Bayern, and I think it's the right step for me.

"Until then, I want to help Schalke realise their objective and, then, hopefully, I'll be going to the World Cup with Germany. I have a good chance, as long as I continue to play well."

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