Bundesliga
Aleksandar Pavlović pens new Bayern deal
Aleksandar Pavlović has committed his future to Bayern Munich, signing a two-year contract extension that ties him to the record Bundesliga champions until 30 June 2029.
Pavlović's new deal is reward for a breakout senior campaign comprising 25 first-team appearances in all competitions, as well as a maiden senior Germany cap. The 20-year-old midfielder was even called up to his country's UEFA Euro 2024 squad, but had to withdraw on the eve of the finals due to tonsilitis.
“Unfortunately, this tonsillitis has denied me my dream of playing in the European Championship on home turf, which is very disappointing – but I'm thrilled that my contract with FC Bayern has been extended until 2029," the player explained, in quotes appearing on his team's official website. "It shows the club has trust in me, which I'm eager to repay. FC Bayern is my home. I'm proud, happy and grateful, want to win trophies with the team and continue my personal development.”
Having joined Bayern at the age of seven and progressed through the various youth teams and reserves, Munich-born Pavlović made his Bundesliga debut against Borussia Dortmund in der Klassiker on 4 November 2023, marking the occasion with his first of two Bundesliga assists in 2023/24. He also scored in back-to-back wins over Augsburg and Borussia Mönchengladbach, whilst making three appearances during Bayern's run to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals.
"Aleksandar Pavlović is the ideal player – both to us and in the eyes of FC Bayern fans: he was born in Munich, started out at FC Bayern at a young age and has worked his way to the top," Bayern board member for sport, Max Eberl said "He is a perfect example of how to push on to the highest level. Players like him are fundamental to FC Bayern's identity and a shining example of how we promote young talent at the FC Bayern Campus. We want Aleks to become a face for the future of our team.”
Watch: The best of Aleksandar Pavlović
The 2024/25 campaign will be Pavlović's first full season as a Bundesliga player. He is set to play an integral role under new head coach Vincent Kompany as Bayern attempt to wrestle back the Bundesliga title from Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen.