Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer will leave his club July 1 to begin a five-year deal to play for Bayern Munich.

The 25-year-old had another season on his contract but will be permitted to change teams immediately.

"I'm looking forward to the new and exciting challenge playing for Bayern," Neuer said Wednesday, adding that many of his colleagues from the national team would be his teammates in Munich.

A valuable player

Neuer has been attached to Schalke since he was five, and this season helped them win the German Cup and reach the Champions League semifinals.

Schalke sporting director Horst Heldt said the decision was "very difficult" and that the club was losing a great player, but that the transfer was the best solution for Schalke.

The two sides came to an agreement in May for a transfer worth 18 million euros ($25 million), plus bonuses linked to Bayern's results.

Author: Sarah Harman (SID, AFP, dpa)

Editor: Martin Kuebler