Harry Kane hails Joshua Kimmich new Bayern Munich deal

The English striker couldn't hide his excitement after the German midfielder committed his future to the club.

"It's fantastic news," Kane said. "Joshua is an outstanding footballer and a great leader to have in the dressing room and on the pitch. He's so important to everyone else, he gives his heart and soul in every moment, every training session, every match.

"I'm really happy for him; he deserves it. I'm looking forward to more moments with him out there."

Kane, who joined Bayern from Tottenham in 2023, also praised the club's recent knack for locking down key players. "Another really good extension," he added. "We're both eager to push the team as far as we can, and we're up for that challenge."

Kimmich, speaking to Suddeutsche Zeitung after putting pen to paper, revealed what drove his decision to stay. "I really feel a lot of trust," the 30-year-old said.

"Vincent Kompany told me in our first conversation that he sees me as a central player in defensive midfield. He said, â˜If you're the best, you'll play there.' Of course, I had to prove his trust with my performances."

The midfielder explained that Kompany, Bayern's head coach, took a hands-off approach during the talks. "We spoke about my situation once, but it wasn't like he wanted to influence me," Kimmich said.

"He told me about a similar situation he faced at Manchester City, extend or try something new. He shared his experiences, his thoughts, and his role as a leader. That was more valuable to me than if he'd tried to persuade me."

Kimmich admitted Kompany made his stance clear. "Of course, he said he'd like me to stay in Munich," he added. "But he understood my situation was somewhat complex."

Despite lucrative offers from elsewhere, Kimmich insisted money wasn't the deciding factor. "It's about the overall structure," he said. "Money matters, of course, but the most important question for me was the sporting perspective. Where do I have the best chance of regularly competing for the Champions League and playing a key role in influencing the team?

"In the end, both factors pointed to Bayern. Plus, my family feels very comfortable here, Munich has become our home."

With Kimmich's future settled, Bayern fans are now dreaming of silverware as their dynamic duo gear up to lead the charge in Germany and beyond.

READ MORE: Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich signs new deal