After undergoing a medical over the last two days, Rafinha has now been able to finalise his switch, and returns to the Bundesliga after one season with Genoa. He had been at Schalke for five years before moving to Serie A, and expressed his delight at returning to Germany.
“I am glad to be back to play in the Bundesliga with a big team like Bayern, where the opportunity for success is bigger and every year the team is competing for trophies,” said the right-back. “There is nothing better than to come here and help the team in pursuit of these achievements.”
Rafinha added that another attraction was the chance to play in the Champions League. “It’s the competition that every player wants to play in,” he explained. “The Champions League is very important, and is often compared to a World Cup without Brazil and Argentina.
“I hope to do my best with the chance that has been presented to me. Next season, the final will be played in Munich, and hopefully I can help the team get to that stage like they did last season, but this time at our home ground and with the support of our fans.”
He also stated that he felt no added pressure playing for such a big club. “I am prepared for whatever may happen. I know that the main objective is the Champions League, but we will try to win all the titles that are available in the season.
“I’m used to pressure, and a club with a big crowd like Bayern will always have big expectations. But I want to show my best and be very happy here, and be a champion at this great club,” concluded Rafinha, who has moved for a fee of around €5.3 million and signed a contract until the summer of 2014.
