Robert Lewandowski: "Harry Kane transfer huge for Bayern Munich and the Bundesliga"
Robert Lewandowski has hailed Harry Kane's transfer to his former club as "huge for Bayern Munich and the Bundesliga."
Lewandowski knows exactly what it takes to succeed in Germany's top flight after following up a formative spell at Borussia Dortmund with a record-breaking stint at Bayern between 2014 and 2022.
The Poland striker scored 344 goals in 375 competitive games for the record champions, moving second behind Gerd Müller at the top of the Bundesliga's all-time scoring charts on 312 goals in 384 appearances.
The Bundesliga's record non-German marksman moved to Barcelona in summer 2022, leaving Bayern's No.9 shirt vacant until Kane's move from Tottenham Hotspur in time for the start of the 2023/24 campaign.
Bundesliga 60: Is Lewandowski your all-time favourite striker? Vote now!
For Lewandowski, the arrival of the England captain - a scorer of some 280 goals in 435 competitive games for Spurs, as well as a record 58 goals in 84 senior internationals - is a win-win for all concerned.
"It's a huge transfer, not only for Bayern, but for the whole Bundesliga," Kane's legendary predecessor told media at the SportBild 2023 awards.
"He's undoubtedly a great striker, a brilliant striker. The Bundesliga isn't an easy league; he'll definitely need some time to adjust, but I'm sure he'll be able to perform at a high level and show his skills."
Watch: Robert Lewandowski endorses Harry Kane signing
Want more Bundesliga Action?
Kane needed just four minutes to make his mark on his Bundesliga debut, setting up new teammate Leroy Sane for the opening goal in Bayern's 4-0 win at Werder Bremen on Matchday 1 of the new season. The 30-year-old added his name to the scoresheet in the 74th minute to cap a superb introduction to the German top tier.
For comparison's sake, Lewandowski had to wait until his third Bundesliga appearance with Dortmund to open his account, and his second in a Bayern shirt. That said, the Pole did go on to claim seven top Bundesliga top scorer's prizes, whilst setting a 41-goal single-season goals record in 2020/21.
Watch: Harry Kane's Bundesliga debut
Kane, who is a four-time English Premier League top scorer, is expected to make his full home debut on Sunday, when Bayern host Augsburg in Bundesliga Matchday 2's closing fixture.
The Englishman's first outing at the Allianz Arena was as a second-half substitute in Bayern's Supercup defeat to RB Leipzig, less than 24 hours after he completed his switch to Munich.
Related news
Bundesliga top scorer's race
Harry Kane top scored with 36 goals last season, but there is a wealth of attacking talents ready to vie for his crown in 2024/25...
How do Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig stack up?
Bayern take on recent rivals Leipzig in their final game before the winter break. The record champions vs. the young pretenders - how do they compare?
How will the 2026 World Cup work?
Bundesliga stars will be vying for the game's greatest international honour in the USA, Canada and Mexico - here's how it will all work.