Bayern confirm Hashemian deal

Reuters - Iran striker Vahid Hashemian will play for Bayern Munich next season, executive manager Uli Hoeness has been quoted as saying.

Hashemian had said that he would leave VfL Bochum for the German champions but neither club had so far confirmed the move.

"We purchased Hashemian for two reasons," Hoeness told Tuesday's issue of Munich daily tz. "One is that he is excellent at headers and we don't have such a player in our attack and the other is that he is a player hungry to prove himself."

Hashemian, 27, has scored 14 goals for Bochum this season.

Bayern already have a top striker in Dutchman Roy Makaay, who has scored 22 league goals this season. Hashemian also faces competition from Peru forward Claudio Pizarro and Paraguay's Roque Santa Cruz, providing they stay at the club.

Hoeness also confirmed that France defender Bixente Lizarazu would leave at the end of the season.

The 34-year-old Lizarazu, who won four German titles, three German Cups and won the Champions League in 2001 in his seven years at Bayern, has said he would not sign a new contract.

Hoeness said the Frenchman would not be replaced, with Tobias Rau and Hasan Salihamidzic likely to fill the place.

Germany defender Rau, 22, failed to make an impact in his first season at Bayern because of injury worries but is the favourite to take Lizarazu's place on the left side of defence.

Bosnia's Salihamidzic, a versatile player equally at ease in midfield and in defence, is also an option.

Bayern are second in the Bundesliga, eight points behind leaders Werder Bremen with five matches left.