Lucio joins Inter - Bayern
Sad to see him go says Hoeness
Brazil captain Lucio has agreed to join Inter after five years at Bayern Munich, the German club said yesterday.
Lucio, whose contract with Bayern ran until 2010, will sign a three-year deal with the Italian champions, Bayern said.
"The clubs have agreed and the player has also agreed with Inter," said Bayern club manager Uli Hoeness.
"After the Confederations Cup it was his expressed wish to leave Bayern if there was an offer from a major club."
"We are, of course, sad that he is leaving because Lucio did outstanding work here," Hoeness added, saying Bayern still had several options for central defence.
Bayern said both sides would keep financial terms secret.
The 31-year-old, who was to rejoin Bayern yesterday after his Confederations Cup participation with Brazil, signed for the Germans in 2004 after a stint with Bayer Leverkusen.
Part of Brazil's 2002 World Cup winning side, he quickly established himself as a rock in Bayern's defence, helping them clinch the Bundesliga and Cup double in 2005, 2006 and 2008.
Last season, Bayern's backline was less consistent, however, and the Bavarians failed to win any silverware.
Inter, on a pre-season tour in California, opted for Lucio after talks to sign Chelsea's Ricardo Carvalho broke down.
Coach Jose Mourinho has already bought Argentina striker Diego Milito and Brazilian midfielder Thiago Motta from Genoa with Twente Enschede forward Marko Arnautovic poised to sign.
Inter left-back Maxwell is joining Barcelona and Lucio's arrival could lead to further departures from the San Siro after Mourinho said his squad was too large.
Argentina defender Nicolas Burdisso is among several Inter players to be linked with a move in the media.