Netherlands captain Mark van Bommel has left Bayern Munich to join AC Milan on a free transfer.
The 34-year-old midfielder asked to be released from his contract at Bayern after being sidelined by coach Louis van Gaal.
Dutchman Van Bommel, who has played 66 times for his country, said in a statement: "I am leaving FC Bayern with a heavy heart but with head held high."
Van Bommel's contract was due to expire at the end of the season.
Milan are top of Serie A and Bayern are fourth in the Bundesliga but Van Bommel leaves Germany with nothing but praise for the supporters of his former club.
"I had four and a half wonderful and successful years at Bayern and would like to express my gratitude to the club and the fans," he stated.
"FC Bayern will always have a place in my heart."
Van Bommel began his career in Dutch football, where he had spells with Fortuna Sittard and PSV Eindhoven.
Frank Rijkaard then took him to Barcelona and he played in the Barca team that defeated Arsenal in the 2006 Champions League final.
Van Bommel joined Bayern that summer and was voted player of the year in his first season.
He won two German championships at Bayern and succeeded Oliver Kahn as club captain.
Van Bommel became the first non-German to be given the captain's armband at Bayern and led the club to last season's Champions League final.
However, he lost his place in the starting line-up this term under coach Louis Van Gaal and asked for his contract to be terminated early.
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