FC Bayern sign Daniel Francis and loan him to Klagenfurt

FC Bayern have signed 18-year-old Nigerian Daniel Francis. The midfielder has joined from FC Hearts Abuja on a contract until 2025 and will spend the 2022/23 season loan at Austrian Bundesliga side Austria Klagenfurt. Francis earned himself a professional contract through FC Bayern’s World Squad project.

Jochen Sauer, director of the FC Bayern Campus: “Daniel came to the fore during his time in the FC Bayern World Squad and really stood out in the friendly matches. He attracted interest from other clubs, so we’re pleased to have signed him and that he’ll now be able to gain match experience at Austria Klagenfurt.”

At Klagenfurt, Francis will meet up with Chinese goalkeeper Liu Shaoziyang, who’s also on loan there from the German record champions. The FC Bayern World Squad project took place for the second time this year, giving 24 young players from all over the world the chance to prove themselves. Francis was handed the captain’s armband for the team because of his leadership qualities. At the training camps in Rio de Janeiro and Munich as well as the friendlies, he impressed the coaching team led by Bayern legends Klaus Augenthaler and Ze Roberto. He represented Nigeria in the 2019 U17 World Cup in Brazil at the age of 16.

More on the World Squad's Brazil journey: