Newly signed Bayern Munich forward Ismael Saibari has acknowledged the significant influence of head coach Vincent Kompany in his decision to transfer from PSV Eindhoven.
The 25-year-old forward from Morocco, who is currently participating in the World Cup, has signed a five-year deal valued at approximately £45 million ($60 million).
“As a child, it was always my dream to sign with a club like Bayern — everyone knows it’s one of the biggest clubs in the world,” he shared on the club’s official website.
“Bayern competes annually for the biggest titles, including the Champions League, and I aspire to win as many trophies as possible here.
“The team’s playing style aligns with my own, allowing me to express myself on the pitch, and I am committed to working hard every day to support the team.
“Coach Vincent Kompany was instrumental in my decision — I eagerly anticipate working alongside him.”
During the World Cup, Saibari scored in all three of Morocco’s group matches and successfully converted the decisive penalty in their round of 32 shootout victory against the Netherlands.
– World Cup: Major questions for all round-of-16 teams
Current championship odds for the 2026 World Cup
Koeman’s lack of courage revealed by remarkable Morocco
Moreover, Max Eberl, Bayern’s sports board member, stated that they had been monitoring Saibari long before he gained fame during this summer’s tournament.
“We are thrilled to have acquired Ismael Saibari, one of the most talented forwards from the World Cup,” he remarked.
“Such transfers are not spontaneous; they result from extensive planning: the pivotal aspect was that we established our interest in him early because we recognized his talents and could present him with a clear vision for his future with us from the beginning.
“Ismael Saibari will add a new level of quality and unpredictability to our attacking strategy.”