bundesliga

"It was really good!" - Sadio Mane trains with Bayern Munich for first time

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Sadio Mane relished training with Bayern Munich for the first time on Friday, after joining the record champions from Liverpool.

Mane linked up with his new teammates at Bayern's Säbener Straße base, two days after the record champions began pre-season training ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

The 30-year-old was a hive of energy throughout, shouting words of encouragement, scoring goals and very nearly finding the back of the net with a spectacular overhead effort.

And he clearly had fun during his first runout, telling the club's YouTube channel: "It was really good. I really enjoyed it, and I can see all the boys enjoyed it. It's the first day for us and I'm really excited to start the season.

"I think I already met [the players] as an opponent but we're teammates now, so I was really happy to meet all the boys. I know some boys are even coming in the next few days, so I'm really looking forward to meeting them as well, and starting the hard work."

Mane joined Bayern at the end of June after a prolific and decorated spell at Liverpool. He tallied 120 goals and 48 assists in 269 competitive appearances for Jürgen Klopp's team, whilst winning - among others - the English Premier League and UEFA Champions League.

The Senegal striker has signed a three-year deal and will wear the No.17 shirt at new club Bayern. He is expected to be involved in match action when the 31-time Bundesliga champions face DC United (July 20) and Pep Guardiola's Manchester City (23 July) as part of their US summer tour.

In the meantime, it appears he is quickly settling into his new surrounds, saying: "When I was in Salzburg, I used to come to Munich. [They are] very respectable people, and very nice people, which really, really impressed me. This is really important how people are nice and welcome me, especially in the club."

Watch: Sadio Mane's unveiling as a Bayern Munich player

Mane will have the opportunity to make his competitive debut on 30 July, when Bayern travel to DFB Cup holders RB Leipzig in the 2022 Supercup.

Bayern begin the defence of their Bundesliga title away to reigning UEFA Europa League champions Eintracht Frankfurt on 5 August. The Bavarian giants are bidding to land a record-extending 11th straight league crown and their star recruit this summer is itching to play in front of the club's fans.

Mane added: "I played [at the Allianz Arena] as an opponent, but together with the fans, with their support, [we can] achieve our targets, for sure."