Bundesliga
"I hope to be fit for the start of the new season" - Lucas Hernandez
New Bayern Munich signing Lucas Hernandez says he hopes to be 100 per cent fit for the start of the 2019/20 season as he steps up his recovery from a knee ligament injury.
France defender Hernandez, 23, has not played since signing for Bayern from Atletico Madrid in March, after his medical revealed a damaged ligament in his right knee.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner immediately underwent surgery to remedy the problem, but only recently begun rehabilitation work.
It is not yet known if he will travel with his new teammates on Bayern's USA summer tour (15-24 July), or stay in Munich to build his fitness at the club's Säbener Straße training centre.
"I'm easing myself back into training," Hernandez told fcbayern tv, after officially becoming a Bayern player on 1 July. "I hope to be 100 per cent fit in time for the start of the season. I'm taking things step by step and am improving each day. I'll soon be fit to give absolutely everything for this badge and shirt."
Hernandez was propelled into the spotlight after some towering displays for club and country in 2018. He won the 2017/18 UEFA Europa League and Super Cup with Atletico, either side of lifting the World Cup with France in Russia, where he started every game.
Following Mats Hummels' transfer from Bayern to former club Borussia Dortmund, Hernandez is widely expected to form coach Niko Kovac's first-choice central defensive pairing alongside Niklas Süle, although he can also operate at left-back.
The 15-time France international has been assigned the No.21 jersey, previously worn by retired 2013 treble-winning captain Philipp Lahm.
"It makes me proud to represent this club and to play with it in all competitions," Hernandez said. "I'm here to make the next step in my career and play for one of the best teams in the world.
"I hope the next year will be a really big one, with lots of trophies. That's the most important thing in football."