A Look at FC Bayern's New Signings and Departures

A new coach, a new philosophy, and a lot of new players are just a few of the changes which have taken place at the Allianz Arena.

Second place is just not good enough for FC Bayern, while quarterfinal exits in two knock-out competitions are just unacceptable.

Bayern's defense last season was filled with holes and they were lackluster upfront, due to injuries. Mark Van Bommel also needed to be reminded of the fact that tackling does not necessarily mean kicking your opponent.

Hence, lets take a look at the new signings:

1. Mario Gomez

Thirty million euros is not a small amount of money. This was the amount Bayern paid for the former VfB Stuttgart striker. The 24-year-old becomes the biggest ever transfer in Bundesliga history. He won the Bundesliga with Stuttgart under Armin Veh in 2007.

He was also a part of the Euro 2008 squad of Germany (a tournament he would like to forget). Mario Gomez Garcia is actually half Spanish, but opted to play for Germany.

Career Stats:

German Player of the Year: 2007

2003-05—VfB Stuttgart II: 24 goals in 43 appearances

2005-2009—VfB Stuttgart: 63 goals in 121 appearances

2007-onwards—Germany: 10 goals in 25 appearances

2. Anatoliy  Oleksandrovych Tymoshcuk

Bayern was unceremoniously dumped out of the UEFA Cup in 2008 by Zenit St Petersburg. The man who captained that side was Tymoschuk. The best thing is the 30-year-old might be able to replace Van Bommel in the team.

The Ukrainian defensive midfielder played for Shaktar prior to joining Zenit. Apparently his favourite player is Lothar Matthaus

Career Stats:

Ukrainian Footballer of the Year: 2002, 2006, 2008

Ukrainian Bravery Order III Degree: 2006

Eurosport best player of the year in Russia: 2007

1997-2007—Shaktar Donetsk: 32 goals in 227 appearances

2007-09—Zenit St Petersburg: 10 goals in 67 appearances

2000-onwards—Ukraine: one goal in 83 appearances

3. Daniel Pranjic

The Croatian man moved to Bayern after quite a tussle over the transfer fee with former club Heerenveen. He plays on the left side of midfield. The 27-year-old has already played for six different clubs.

Career Stats:

2004-05 Dinamo Zagreb: two goals in 29 appearances

2005-09 SC Heerenveen: 32 goals in 128 appearances

2004-onwards—Croatia: 20 appearances

4. Edhson Braafheid

The left-back is a much needed addition to Bayern's leaky defense. The 26-year-old Dutchman moved in from FC Twente. He was part of the Dutch squad, which won the U-21 European Championship in 2006 in Portugal.

Career Stats:

2003-2007—FC Utrecht: two goals in 80 appearances

2007-09—FC Twente: one goal in 76 appearances

5. Ivica Olic

He can play as a forward or as a left winger. The 29-year-old former Hamburg man is extremely hard working. He is a striker of the Miro Klose-mould and a poacher can definitely benefit playing alongside him. Olic is a player I definitely admire and is a fine addition to the squad.

Career Stats:

2002-03- Dinamo Zagreb: 16 goals in 27 appearances

2003-2007- CSKA Moscow: 35 goals in 78 appearances

2007-09—Hamburg: 26 goals in 70 appearances

2002-onwards—Croatia: 13 goals in 62 appearances

6. Alexander Baumjohann

The 22-year-old is a fine addition to the midfield. He has plenty of Bundesliga experience under his belt as well. The Schalke managerial board must be kicking themselves for selling this man. He may not be a regular with Bayern as he was with Gladbach, but he is going to serve as an excellent backup.

Career Stats:

2007-08—M'gladbach II: two goals in eight appearances

2008-09—M'gladbach: three goals in 32 appearances

7. Andreas Gorlitz

Gorlitz is a new face to some at Bavaria due to his two year absence. Bayern sent the 27-year-old to Karlsruher on loan and now the Bavarian is back to his former hunting ground. He started off with 1860 Munchen, but not surprisingly ended up in Bayern.

Career Stats:

2004-onwards—Bayern: 18 appearances

2007-2009—on loan to Karlsruher: 49 appearances

Meanwhile, Holger Badstubber and Thomas Muller have been promoted from the second team to the first.

Now, let's take a look at the departures:

1. Lukas Podolski

The Koln man finally managed to pave his way out of Bayern. He is a striker who can also play on the wings as you all know. Podolski was left out in the cold by Bayern. He wasn't used properly and had to make an impression in only 10 or 20 minutes in a match to get into the starting lineup. He scored 15 goals in 71 appearances for Bayern.

2. Ze Roberto

Ze Roberto joined Hamburg after Bayern offered him an extension of only a year. He will be sorely missed as his creativity is a gift few possess. He scored 14 goals in 169 appearances for the Bavarian Giants.

3. Massimo Oddo

The 33-year-old spent a year on loan from Milan.

Well, that about wraps up the transfers. It's up to you to decide who is the best signing of the lot.