Vidal seals Bayern move

Italian media reports suggested Bayern paid 36 million euros ($39.5 million), rising to 40 million euros ($44 million) with bonuses, to bring the 28-year-old Vidal back to the Bundesliga.

Vidal scored 15 goals and set up 21 more in 117 league games over four seasons for Bayer Leverkusen before leaving for Juventus in 2011.

The rugged midfielder is expected to fill the gap left by the departure of Bastian Schweinsteiger for Manchester United, and to give Pep Guardiola's team more toughness.

Vidal was brought to Germany at age 20 from Chilean club Colo-Colo by then Leverkusen squad director Michael Reschke. Reschke ended his 35-year association with Leverkusen when Bayern appointed him as a director in June.

Vidal helped Juventus to four consecutive Serie A titles and, last season, the Coppa Italia. Barcelona denied the club a treble by winning the Champions League final between them in Berlin.

He reached a deal with prosecutors to avoid trial after crashing his Ferrari while driving under the influence of alcohol early in the tournament on June 16. He apologized for insulting a police officer and agreed to pay compensation to a driver involved in the crash.

Vidal is on a 10-man shortlist for the best player in Europe. Of Juventus' five players nominated for the UEFA award, only goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and midfielder Paul Pogba remain. Andrea Pirlo and Carlos Tevez have left the club.

He told Bayern's official website: "I'm very happy. This is a new step in my career and I want to help the team and win trophies. It's a dream come true for me personally.

"I wanted to take another big step forward in my career. I want to keep developing as a player and win important trophies like the Champions League. I think the best opportunity to do so is with Bayern.

"We weren't a long way off winning all three competitions last season. I hope we can pull it off with Bayern. That has to be the target."

He added: "I'm thrilled about playing in the Bundesliga again and obviously hope to win it this time. I didn't manage it with Leverkusen back then, but with Bayern there's a very, very good chance."

Vidal moved to Juventus in 2011 and won four consecutive Serie A titles and was the club's player of the season in 2012-13.

He was named man of the match in the Copa America final against Argentina as Chile won their first major honour in a penalty shoot-out.