Bayer Leverkusen has officially signed defender Facundo Medina from Marseille following his impressive performance at the World Cup, where he helped Argentina reach the final. The transfer deal is reported to be worth up to €25 million, with Leverkusen paying an initial €23 million and an additional €2 million contingent on performance-related add-ons.

Medina's Background and Previous Season

The 27-year-old Medina, who is capable of playing both centre-back and left-back, has signed a five-year contract with Leverkusen. He joins the club after a successful loan spell at Marseille, where he made 26 appearances across all competitions. Leverkusen had previously seen an offer for Medina turned down by Marseille but ultimately reached an agreement that was announced on Tuesday.

Player's Thoughts on the Move

"Making the move to Bayer 04 in the Bundesliga is fantastic for me," said Medina. "At the World Cup, Exequiel Palacios told me a lot about the club and spoke very highly of Leverkusen."

Medina expressed enthusiasm about joining Leverkusen, citing the positive experiences shared by his compatriot Palacios, who has been with the club for an extended period and enjoyed considerable success.

Leverkusen's Defensive Needs

Leverkusen's managing director of sport, Simon Rolfes, praised Medina's qualities, stating, "In Facundo Medina, we have signed a highly experienced professional who, thanks to his quality and strong mentality, will immediately be a key player for our team." Medina's addition is seen as crucial for bolstering a defense that conceded 47 goals in the Bundesliga last season, ranking as the joint-third least in the league.

As Leverkusen prepares for the upcoming season, they will kick off their domestic campaign in the DFB-Pokal against Wehen Wiesbaden on August 22, followed by their first league match against Elversberg a week later.