Peruvian Pizarro returns to Bayern Munich

German Bundesliga giants FC Bayern Munich have resigned Peruvian striker Claudio Pizarro on a one year contract. Pizarro returns to Munich for a second after after having played for the Bavarians from 2001 to 2007 in which he scored 71 goals in 174 matches besides winning numerous Bundesliga and German Cup titles.

Bayern Munich's Director of Sport Christian Nerlinger said, "We are very happy that we were able to sign Claudio Pizzaro, an international player who is dangerous in front of the goal."

Bayern Munich have signed 33 year old Pizarro as back-up to number one striker Mario Gomez as Ivica Olic is leaving the club to VfL Wolfsburg and young Nils Pedersen has had a tough first season in the German top flight. Pizarro brings with him the necessary experience and pedigree as he is the highest foreign goalscorer in the Bundesliga with 160 goals in 333 appearances for Werder Bremen and Bayern Munich.

Like in 2001 Pizarro joins Bayern from Bremen, but this time on a free transfer. He played the last few years at Werder Bremen after a transfer from Bayern Munich to Chelsea FC in 2007, but as he didn't make his breakthrough he first returned to Bremen on loan and then on a permanent contract.

Pizarro is the fourth signing at Bayern Munich for the new season as the club works to strengthen its bench and put more pressure on their star player. Earlier Swiss young midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri (FC Basel), Brazilian defender Dante Bonfim Costa Santos (Borussia Mönchengladbach) and new number two goalkeeper Tom Starke (1899 Hoffenheim) had been signed.