Butt returns to Germany with Bayern

Goalkeeper Hans-Jörg Butt has signed a two-year contract with German double winners FC Bayern München hours after leaving SL Benfica as a free agent.

Short stay
The 34-year-old joined the Lisbon club last summer but made just one Portuguese Liga appearance as a substitute and had the remaining 12 months of his contract cancelled by mutual consent yesterday. Bayern, who were in the market for a goalkeeper following Oliver Kahn's retirement, moved quickly to secure the former German international's services until 30 June 2010. 

'Very pleased'
Prior to his move to Benfica, the keeper had spent his entire career in Germany. After starting out at VfB Oldenburg, Butt – renowned for his ability from set-pieces – scored 19 goals 133 league appearances for Hamburger SV before a six-season spell with Bayer 04 Leverkusen, which included a UEFA Champions League final appearance against Real Madrid CF in 2002. "We're very pleased with this transfer, as Hans-Jörg Butt's international experience fits our requirements exactly," Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told the club's website.