Cologne's Prince Abdicates for New Throne at Bayern Munich

One of the biggest flirtations in German soccer finally got serious on Thursday when Bayern Munich and Germany striker Lukas Podolski consummated their union in a deal which will take the FC Cologne striker to the Bundesliga champions on a four-year contract.

Bayern eventually got their man after a season of rumors and statements of admiration between club and player, with the Bavarian giants agreeing a fee of between 10 million euros ($12.8 million) and 11 million with the now-relegated Cologne club.

"I'm happy the transfer has been worked out," Podolski told a news conference at Germany's World Cup training camp. "I'm looking forward to a new challenge, a new city and a new club. Bayern are the best in Germany. It's the best address."

"Bayern are number one and I want to measure myself against the best," said the 20-year-old striker at Düsseldorf's Hilton Hotel after signing on the dotted line with his new employers.

Despite sending Cologne into a period of mourning, the deal is a remarkable piece of business for the city's soccer club. The Prince, as he was known to his adoring supporters, could have left after next season for a fixed fee of one million euros as stipulated in a clause in his last contract with the club.

Relegation a drop too far for ambitious Poldi

But while Bayern Munich won the championship at the end of this season, Cologne were relegated and Podolski had made it known that he did not want to miss another year in the Bundesliga despite his loyalty to his home-town club. Podolski spent one season in the second division with Cologne in 2004/05. "Another year in the second division wasn't acceptable for me," he said.

Podolski, who turns 21 on Sunday, will reportedly earn 2.5 million euros a year with his new club.

Cologne president Wolfgang Overath, while sorry to see the club's prize possession leave, was satisfied with the conclusion of the long-running courtship. "We are all happy with the solution,'" he said after what he called "fair negotiations." With the coffers swelled with at least ten times as much as they were expecting for the young striker, he added: "We can live with the result."

"He is an outstanding footballer but still has some things to learn," he concluded.

Bayern and Germany happy at star's transfer to Munich

The Bayern hierarchy was obviously just as satisfied at getting a prodigious talent like Podolski on their books. "We are very happy and content that we were able to bring one of the most talented German internationals to Bayern," said club chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

The transfer was also welcomed by the German international set-up of which Podolski has become an integral member. Germany assistant coach Joachim Löw said he believed the move to Bayern was the correct one. "He is an exceptional talent," said Löw. "Now he will be properly challenged, will be able to play in international competition and will have to fight for his place."

Podolski will not only get the chance to test himself against the best defenses in Europe as part of Bayern's Champions League campaign next season but will also find competition at his new home. He will be vying for a starting place with strikers of the caliber of Roy Makaay, Claudio Pizarro and Roque Santa Cruz.

Podolski is unlikely to be fazed by such competition -- such is his belief in his own ability which is backed up with hard facts. The Prince scored 22 goals in 51 top flight games for Cologn, while his season in the second division saw him bag 24 goals in 30 games. His record for the German national team is also impressive with a goal ratio of one every two matches. He has scored 12 goals in 24 appearances to date.