Munich, 12 August 2023 (dpa/MIA) - England captain Harry Kane has joined Bayern Munich on a contract until 2027, the Bundesliga champions said on Saturday.

Striker Kane earlier confirmed his departure from Tottenham Hotspur, posting a video on social media saying "it was the time to leave."

The 30-year-old has never won a trophy.

Media reports have put the fee well in excess of €100 million ($110 million), which is a clear Bundesliga record.

"I’m very happy to be a part of Bayern now. Bayern is one of the biggest clubs in the world and I’ve always said that I want to compete and prove myself at the highest level during my career," Kane said in a Bayern statement.

"This club is defined by its winning mentality - it feels very good to be here."

He will wear the number nine shirt. Bayern tried to play much of last season without a recognized striker and it largely failed as they scraped an 11th straight Bundesliga title at the last moment and underperformed in the Champions League and German Cup.

Sadio Mané was the big signing last year from Liverpool but it did not work out and the Senegal winger has now headed to Saudi Arabia.

Top forward Robert Lewandowski left a year ago for Barcelona and Kane is effectively his replacement.

He arrived at Bayern on Friday for the mandatory medical and then put pen to paper on a deal that will reportedly earn him €25 million per season.

Former Bayern president Uli Hoeneß famously said in 2017 that no player in the world was worth €100 million. But Bayern have now decided to join in with the massive transfer splurges of the English Premier League and others after fearing they would be left behind.

Bayern chief executive Jan-Christian Dreesen said: "It’s been a long process, but now we’re all the happier that Harry Kane will be wearing the Bayern Munich shirt with immediate effect. Harry Kane was our absolute dream player right from the start.

"World-class centre forwards have always been an important factor when Bayern has celebrated its greatest triumphs, and we’re convinced that Harry Kane will continue this success story. Our fans can look forward to one of the best goalscorers of our time."

Kane is the all-time England and Spurs top scorer and was out of contract in 2024 in London, which would have meant he could leave for free if he had stayed one more year at his boyhood club.

He is second in the list of Premier League top scorers (213) behind Alan Shearer (260), but winning titles at Bayern has proved more of an allure than breaking the record.

"Hard to put into words how to say goodbye to a club and fans who have done so much for me in my career. You will always be in my heart. Thank you Tottenham, thank you Tottenham fans," he wrote on social media.

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy, well known across the game as a tough negotiator, finally agreed to sell having fended off interest from Manchester City two years ago.

"We sought over a long period of time to engage Harry and his representatives in several forms of contract extension, both short and long term," Levy said in a Spurs statement.

"Harry was clear, however, that he wanted a fresh challenge and would not be signing a new contract this summer. We have reluctantly, therefore, agreed to his transfer."

It is not completely out of the question that he will make his Bayern debut in Saturday's German Super Cup against RB Leipzig but a more likelier first game seems to be the Bundesliga opener six days later at Werder Bremen.

Club president Herbert Hainer said: "Welcome to Munich, Harry Kane! We’re very happy about this top-quality new arrival. The transfer required tenacity, bite and perseverance - my compliments to all those involved in these negotiations at Bayern, led by our CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen.

"Harry Kane will not only strengthen Bayern, but also be a real asset to the entire Bundesliga.”

Photo: Twitter