Manchester United have moved to bolster their midfield with the addition of Germany’s World Cup-winner Bastian Schweinsteiger from Bayern Munich as they bid to re-establish themselves as a Premier League force following two poor seasons.

Bastian Schweinsteiger is set for a new challenge at Man. United.Bastian Schweinsteiger is set for a new challenge at Man. United.

Germany’s metronomic midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has agreed to join the 20-times English champions, the Bundesliga champions’ chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said yesterday.

“Bastian wants to do something new at the end of his career,” he told a news conference.

“The colleague from Manchester United got in touch with me.

“We have agreed on a transfer.

“I regret that because Bastian was an extremely deserving player for us. He has done great things. I can only wish all the best to Bastian.”

United confirmed they had reached an agreement to sign the 30-year-old subject to a medical and personal terms.

A World Cup-winner with Germany in Brazil last year, Schweinsteiger came through the youth ranks at Bayern and has spent 13 seasons with the Bavarians, winning the Bundesliga title eight times.

Schweinsteiger, who made 536 appearances for the club since his debut in 2002, also won seven German Cups and the Champions League in 2013.

Germany captain Schweinsteiger has been a mainstay in their midfield since his international debut in 2004, scoring 23 goals in 111 appearances, and is their fifth-highest capped player.

“(Schweinsteiger) is an absolute leader and world-class player, who can make his mark on any team,” Germany coach Joachim Loew said.

Schweinsteiger’s arrival is a statement of intent by United who are bidding to re-establish themselves after seventh- and fourth-place finishes in their previous two league campaigns.

Schweinsteiger cites United great Eric Cantona as one of his heroes and plays in the same mould. He is likely to assume much of the midfield responsibilities at Old Trafford.

He will be the first German to play for United and their second signing of the close-season following the arrival of Dutch winger Memphis Depay from PSV.

Darmian deal

Meanwhile, Manchester United’s summer recruitment drive continued last night as they completed the purchase of defender Matteo Darmian from Torino.

Torino confirmed the sale of 25-year-old full-back Darmian to the Old Trafford club.

He travelled to England on Friday after a fee, believed to be in the region of £12.7 million, was agreed.

Torino announced the news on their website yesterday evening – “Thanks Darmian, four wonderful years” – followed by a statement which read: “Torino FC announces that it has sold to Manchester United, outright, the rights of the player Matteo Darmian.”

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