23/12/2001 (www.fcbayern.de)
Ballack Chooses Bayern
With timing designed to spread yuletide warmth among Bayern's management, Michael Ballack chose the Sunday before Christmas to announce he would play for Bayern Munich next season.
"We are extremely pleased he has chosen Bayern Munich. And it's the right decision," said Ottmar Hitzfeld, reacting to the news. "With him, Sebastian Deisler and our current team Bayern Munich are well set for the next few years," the head coach added in confident mood.
Ballack is in his third season with Bayer Leverkusen and has picked up two Bundesliga runners-up medals, both times finishing behind Bayern. The midfielder previously played in the Bundesliga with Kaiserslautern, having learnt the trade as a youth with SG Motor Karl-Marx-Stadt, later appearing in the second division with Chemnitz.
Ballack has nine goals to his name this season, making him the league's most prolific midfielder. He has also played his way into a regular starting berth for the German national side.
Mehmet Scholl had recently described his future colleague as "best player of the season so far. The way he has performed is truly remarkable. After the England match he hit rock bottom, he was booed and set up to take the blame. But he reacted as a great player must - out on the field. He will make a name for himself," Scholl said.
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