Javi Martinez appears to have signed for Qatar Sports Club following his departure from Bayern Munich.
The midfielder left Bayern after a very successful nine years at the end of last season. During his time with Die Roten, he lifted nine straight Bundesliga titles and won the DFB Cup five times. He also experienced success in Europe and won 2013 and 2020 with Champions League crowns.
Since announcing his departure from Bayern, he has been linked with a return to the Athletic Club, where he gained a reputation as one of Europe’s most promising defensive midfielders between 2006 and 2012. However, it now appears that Martinez has chosen to go further.
Although there has been no official announcement, Martinez posted a video message on the Qatar Sport Club Twitter account that appears to indicate that he had signed terms with the club.
“Hello to all my Qatar Sports friends. I’m glad to announce that I will be meeting you all soon. Stay up to date,” said the former Spanish international.
Hurry up! @ javi8martinez? ⏰ pic.twitter.com/AesqK69kjT
– Qatar SC (@QatarSportClub) June 20, 2021
Qatar SC endures a frustrating 2020/2021 season and finished one point outside the top four in the Qatar Stars League. This meant that they missed the AFC Champions League qualifier with the four available places going to Al-Sadd, Al-Duhail Al-Rayyan and Al-Gharafa.
By signing Martinez, Qatar SC hopes to be a better next season. The midfielder joins a growing list of foreign stars who trade in the country. La Masia graduate Marc Muniesa, former Bundesliga goalkeeper Pierre-Michel Lasogga and ex-Aston Villa striker Jonathan Kodjia will all compete against Martinez during the 2021/2022 campaign.
Nor are they the only known faces. Former France boss Laurent Blanc is currently in charge of Al-Rayyan and Slavisa Jokanovic also managed in Qatar before being snatched by Sheffield United.
