Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery and his fellow team-mates pay tribute to Bastian Schweinsteiger after Manchester United move is confirmed
- Bastian Schweinsteiger will leave Bayern Munich for Manchester United
- The World Cup-winning captain wants to embark on a brand new challenge
- Numerous Bayern Munich players have paid their respects to the German
- Karl-Heinz Rummenigge admits he wanted him to stay at the Allianz Arena
Franck Ribery and numerous other Bayern Munich players have been quick to pay their tributes to long-serving midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger following his decision to leave the club.
On Saturday it was confirmed the World Cup-winning Germany captain would be quitting the Allianz Arena in order to embark on a new challenge with former manager Louis van Gaal.
Schweinsteiger enjoyed a hugely successful time during his 17 years with the club and his Bayern Munich team-mates have been quick to wish him well ahead of his new challenge at Manchester United.
Bastian Schweinsteiger will be leaving the Allianz Arena in order to be reunited with Louis van Gaal
Franck Ribery speaks about Bayern Munich team-mate Schweinsteiger's decision to leave the club
Ribery claims that the whole Bayern Munich team are sad to see the midfielder leave after 17 years
French attacker Franck Ribery revealed his disappointment at the move stating that the 'entire team was sad' following the news
An emotional Bayern Munich right back Philipp Lahm said: 'I am very sad because we have been through a lot, good and bad. Except for the two years I was in Stuttgart, we played our whole careers together, here at Bayern and in the national team.
'So it is sad that we have to part ways but he made this decision because he is looking for a new challenge. You have to accept and respect that.
'He still had one more year under contract so it was his decision. But still, this is sad for the club. He is from here and we will miss him. But everybody has to make decisions and at the end of his career he is looking for a new challenge.'
Fellow German international Manuel Neuer was also sad to hear he was losing a team-mate and friend this summer, he said: 'We are very good friends so it hurts me personally that he isn't here anymore. At least he will be with the national team.
Javi Martinez (left) was among the players to offer support to Schweinsteiger ahead of his Old Trafford move
Robert Lewandowski (right) posted this picture on his Instagram when he had heard about the transfer
Jerome Boateng wished the midfielder luck and posted this World Cup picture to his Twitter account
'We texted a bit but he was already on the plane and the pilot didn't want to turn around and fly back. I wish him all the best, that he stays healthy and can show his quality as fast as possible.'
Numerous other Bayern players, including Javi Martinez, Robert Lewandowski and Jerome Boateng, were also disappointed when they heard the news, and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge admits he tried to block his exit.
The Bayern Munich chief said: 'Bastian Schweinsteiger told me that, during his vacation he had done some soul searching, and that, since he is approaching the end of his career, he wanted to try something new.
'But we didn't let him go without trying to convince him to stay. It upsets me, I'm not going to hide that. Although I do understand his decision. Nevertheless, it's sad, because he was an essential part of this team.'
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge describes how the German midfielder revealed he wanted a new challenge
The Bayern Munich chief admits he was upset with Schweinsteiger's decision to leave the Allianz Arena
Rummenigge revealed in a video that he did try to stop the World Cup winner from leaving Bayern Munich
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