Wolfsburg signs Luiz Gustavo from Bayern

Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery and Luiz Gustavo (R) celebrate after an own goal was scored by Barcelona during their Champions League semi-final second leg soccer match at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona May 1, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

WOLFSBURG, Germany --?Wolfsburg signed Brazil midfielder Luiz Gustavo from Bundesliga rival Bayern Munich on Friday.

The Volkswagen-backed club announced that the 26-year-old Luiz Gustavo signed a deal through to 2018.

Both clubs agreed not to disclose the transfer fee. German media reported that Wolfsburg was paying between 15 and 20 million euros ($20 and $27 million) for the Brazilian.

"I have professional and personal reasons to want to go away," Luiz Gustavo said before Brazil's 1-0 defeat in Switzerland on Wednesday. The player faced a struggle for regular playing time at Bayern, which has further reinforced its star-studded midfield under new coach Pep Guardiola.

He reportedly was also a target for clubs in England, Italy and Russia.

"On behalf of Bayern, I would like to sincerely thank Luiz Gustavo for his two and a half years in Munich," Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said. "He won many friends in our club with his calm, always friendly and very professional manner. You could always rely on Luiz Gustavo and he played his part in Bayern's treble last season."

Luiz Gustavo joined Hoffenheim from Clube de Regatas Brasil in 2007, and Bayern paid 17 million euros ($23 million) for the Brazilian in January 2011. He scored six goals and set up three more in 64 league games for the side.

Luiz Gustavo joins up with compatriots Diego and Naldo at Wolfsburg, and could make his debut against Schalke on Saturday.

He has played 11 games for Brazil.