Pep Guardiola key to Thiago Alcantara's move to Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich's new signing Thiago Alcantara has revealed that the chance to work again with ex-Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola was one of his main reasons for joining the European champions. The 22-year-old completed his transfer from Barcelona to Munich on Monday, having signed a four-year deal with an initial fee of 20 million euros ($26 million), plus an extra five million euros from a future friendly between Bayern and Barcelona. Thiago, the son of Brazil's midfielder Mazinho, who was part of the Selecao team which won the 1994 World Cup, was given his Barcelona debut in 2009 by Guardiola, who only last Wednesday said "I want Thiago or nobody". "There aren't many coaches in the world with his ability. He was definitely one of the important reasons for me making the move to Munich," Thiago said of Bayern's new coach. "On the one hand, there's the history of the club, which has been one of the best in the world for many years. "On top of that, this team plays very attractive football. And I believe the arrival of Pep Guardiola will provide an additional boost. "We've known each other for a long time and he's a coach who has placed great faith in me. "I'm a huge fan of the way he likes football to be played. "I have to thank him for everything I have achieved in my career." As he does not speak German, the Spaniard admitted the Munich move is not an easy one, but Thiago will face his former club next week: Bayern host Barcelona at Munich's Allianz Arena on July 24 in a pre-season friendly.