Bayern Munich News: Leroy Sane Relishes Much Awaited Change With Der FCB

Leroy Sane is back in harness, and the 24-year-old was visibly elated during his first practice with his new club, Bayern Munich. The German player admitted that he was overjoyed to be at Bayern and back in the pitch once more with a small group that included Niklas Sule.

Footage of Sane's first practice with Der FCB made the rounds on social media. He will be wearing the no. 10 shirt next season, the same number that Philippe Coutinho wore when he played via a loan from Barcelona.

"It was a small group for training with Niklas Sule, but it was great to be out on the pitch again, completing my first session here on the training ground," Sane said. "I'm just overjoyed to be here."

The Bundesliga champions finally acquired Sane after closing a five-year deal with Manchester City worth $67 million. The 24-year-old was originally set to move last summer, but a knee injury prevented that from happening. He was only able to play 11 minutes this season with the Sky Blues.

With Der FCB, Sane has a lot of work to do as he tries to get back into form. And former Bayern star Lukas Podolski believes that the 24-year-old has yet to reach his full potential, Sky Sports Germany (via Goal) reported.

"He has not yet reached the top level. He still needs a bit more experience, a few more seasons. He needs to play regularly with the national team and win a European Championship or a World Cup," Podolski said.

City wanted to keep Sane in the fold, but Pep Guardiola revealed that both sides failed to come to an agreement. Guardiola accepted the decision of Sane, saying they preferred to keep players who were aligned and committed to reaching their targets.

Though he is now formally with Bayern, Sane will not be eligible to play when the club faces Chelsea in the second leg of their Champions League round-of-16 clash in August. Die Roten are favorites to prevail over the Blues, having beaten them in the first round before the COVID-19 forced a break.