Bayern clinch summer deal for Basel starlet Shaqiri

FC Bayern München and FC Basel 1893 have agreed terms on the summer transfer of 20-year-old Switzerland midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri from the Swiss Super League champions to the German Bundesliga club.

The prodigious playmaker, who passed a medical in Munich this week, has signed a four-year contract that will run from 1 July 2012 until 30 June 2016. His transfer fee is reported to be in the region of €12m.

Shaqiri has ignited Swiss football with his dazzling midfield skills, scoring 13 goals in 80 top-flight appearances for Basel. He also took a starring role as Switzerland reached last summer's UEFA European Under-21 Championship final – losing to Spain – and has been capped 17 times by the senior national team, scoring four goals.

"We're delighted to have secured the signing of Xherdan Shaqiri, one of the most sought-after talents in European football," said Bayern sporting director Christian Nerlinger. Coach Jupp Heynckes added: "Xherdan's intelligent play and dribbling skills will add to our arsenal next season. I've been watching him for a while now and I'm convinced he can become a very important player for Bayern."

The Kosovo-born schemer will be acquainted with his future team-mates later this month when Basel take on Bayern in the UEFA Champions League round of 16. Basel host the first leg at St. Jakob-Park on 22 February, with the return scheduled for 13 March in Munich.