Bayern signs France defender Benjamin Pavard for next season

Bayern Munich has signed France defender Benjamin Pavard from Bundesliga rival Stuttgart for next season.

The Bavarian team says the 22-year-old Pavard, who played six games at right back to help France win the World Cup, will join on July 1.

In this Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018 photo France's Benjamin Pavard controls the ball during a friendly soccer match between France and Iceland, in Guingamp, western France. [Photo: AP]

Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic says Pavard has singed "a five-year contract. He's a young player and a world champion. We're very glad and proud to have gained such a player for FC Bayern."

Pavard helped Stuttgart to Bundesliga promotion in 2017 after joining from Lille the year before. He has played 69 league games, though he is currently out with a thigh injury.

Bayern Munich has also gone on record to sign English winger Callum Hudson-Odoi from Chelsea.

Salihamidzic says "he's a very interesting player that we really want to sign. He has qualities that fit with our game. He's strong in dribbling with the ball, full of tricks, is drawn to goal and a young player, who has huge potential. Hudson-Odoi is a player who would suit us."

Salihamidzic was speaking Wednesday at the team's winter training camp in Doha, Qatar.