England captain Harry Kane has signed a two-year contract extension with Bayern Munich, keeping him at the German champions until 2029, the club announced on Thursday.
The 33-year-old striker, who joined Bayern from Tottenham Hotspur in 2023, said he felt “right at home” at the club and was eager to continue his career in Munich.
Kane has scored 156 goals in 161 appearances across all competitions since arriving at the Allianz Arena, establishing himself as one of the club’s most influential players.
“I feel right at home at FC Bayern. I love the club, the fans and the city of Munich. We have a fantastic team and, in Vincent Kompany, a fantastic manager,” Kane said in a statement.
“It makes me very proud to be part of this club. My whole family is very happy here. I was keen to stay. I’m now looking forward to the future.”
After spending more than a decade at his boyhood club Tottenham without winning a major team trophy, Kane has enjoyed considerable success in Germany, winning two Bundesliga titles and one German Cup with Bayern.
However, the Champions League remains an elusive prize, with the Bavarians reaching the semi-finals twice during his three campaigns at the club.
Kane also enjoyed a major individual milestone last month when he was named men’s player of the year at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in London.
He became the first Englishman since Michael Owen in 2001 and the first Bayern Munich player since Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in 1981 to win the prestigious award, finishing ahead of France captain Kylian Mbappe.
In September, Kane became the fastest player in Bundesliga history to reach 100 goals, achieving the feat in just 98 appearances and breaking the previous record held by Dieter Mueller, who reached the milestone in 129 games in 1977.
Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund expressed delight at the contract extension, describing Kane as a world-class striker, leader and team player.
“We are absolutely delighted that Harry Kane has extended his contract. With Harry Kane, we have the Ballon d’Or winner on the pitch — a team player, a leader, the best all-round striker in the world,” Freund said.
“We all benefit from his qualities as a player and as a person, day in, day out.”
According to German media reports, Bayern and Kane had been negotiating the extension since August, with the length of the new deal emerging as the main point of discussion.
Kane’s Premier League return appears less likely
Although a return to the Premier League had been speculated upon since his departure from Tottenham, Kane has increasingly indicated that he is settled in Germany and no longer feels the same urgency to return to English football.
Last season, he said discussions over his future would take place after the World Cup, where England were eliminated in the semi-finals by Argentina.
However, in an interview with FourFourTwo magazine in August, Kane admitted that his desire to return to the Premier League had diminished.
“When I first left, for sure it was something that I thought I’d definitely be coming back. That itch isn’t there as much anymore,” he said.
“I’m extremely happy here in Munich. It’s opened my eyes to a totally different world of football outside of England. It’s made me appreciate European football even more.
“With the team we have here, with the manager. My family are really settled here. It’s just about being in the best place possible.
“I never say never but, for now, I’m concentrating on Bayern Munich, and we’ll see what the future holds.”
Kane scored 61 goals for Bayern last season and added 12 for England, taking his total to 73 in the campaign. Only Lionel Messi, who scored 82 goals in the 2011-12 season, recorded a higher tally in a single campaign this century.
During his Ballon d’Or acceptance speech, Kane also acknowledged the contribution of his Bayern teammates to his individual success.
“Without you guys and the rest of the team it wouldn’t be possible, the way you guys push me, the way we compete. So thank you very much,” he said.
Bayern claimed the Bundesliga and German Cup double last season and came close to reaching the Champions League final, losing 6-5 on aggregate to eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain in a thrilling semi-final encounter.
This season, the Bavarians remain unbeaten in all competitions among clubs in Europe’s top five leagues. They lead the Bundesliga standings ahead of Borussia Dortmund on goal difference and sit 13th in the Champions League league-phase table after four of eight matches.
AFP
