Rafael van der Vaart returned to old club Hamburg on a deadline day deal worth 13 million euros ($16.28 million). The Dutch international previously played for the club from 2005 to 2008 before leaving for Real Madrid. With 100 caps for the Netherlands, the 29-year-old's signing will immediatly inject much-needed creativity and experience into a struggled Hamburg team.
Dutch international Ibrahim Afellay joined Schalke 04 on a one-year loan deal from Barcelona on deadline day. The 26-year-old started his career at PSV Eindhoven, winning four Dutch leage titles. He never quite settled after moving to Barcelona in 2011, but will hope to establish a regular place in the Bundesliga.
Athletic Bilbao's Javi Martinez joined Bayern Munich for 40 million euros ($50 million). The 23-year-old defe´nse player has collected eight caps with Spain's national team and was in the team that won 2010 World Cup and 2012 European Championship He is the fifth high-profile player to join the Bavarian giants this summer after Dante, Claudio Pizarro, Xherdan Shaqiri and Mario Mandzukic.
Marco Reus - freshly crowned the league's best player of last season - joins Dortmund from Mönchengladbach on a 5-year deal worth over 17 million euros ($20.9 million). The 23-year-old Germany international will help fill in for Shinji Kagawa, who moved to Manchester United in June. Reus was born in Dortmund and played in their youth ranks until he was let go to RW Ahlen's U19 team - for free.
The 20-year-old Swiss winger made a splash during FC Basel's surprise run in Europe last season. He was picked up by the Bayern Munich in February, signing a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee. Shortly thereafter, Shaqiri reminded everyone why he was so coveted when he helped Basel to a surprise 1-0 victory over the Bavarian giants in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16.
Croatian international striker Mario Mandzukic, 26, joined Bayern from Wolfsburg in June after a strong Euro 2012, scoring three goals despite his country going out in the group stage. The talented attacker has already made an impact at his club, scoring in his competitive debut - a 2-1 win over Borussia Dortmand in the German Supercup on Sunday.
Dante made his debut for Bayern Munich in the club's 2-1 win over Dortmund in the German Supercup. The Brazilian was a solid presence in Mönchengladbach's back line last season and came to Bayern for 4.7 million euros ($5.78 million). He played well in the Supercup, and if he doesn't start full time, the depth he provides at the center-back position will be a very welcome addition at Bayern.
The veteran striker begins his second stint with Bayern this season after joining on a one-year deal from Werder Bremen in May. The Peruvian previously spent six seasons at the Munich club from 2001 to 2007. At 33 he may lack the athleticism he once had, but he will look to strengthen a Bayern attack that will be without an injured Mario Gomez to start the season.
The Swiss teenager joined Mönchengladbach from FC Basel in May for 8.5 million Euros ($10.45 million), signing a five-year contract. The midfielder won the Swiss double last season with teammate Xherdan Shaqiri, and will hope continue that success with his new club, who play Dynamo Kyiv in the Champions League playoff next week.
The Dutch striker made a big money move to Borussia Mönchengladbach in July after a prolific career with FC Twente in the Eredivise, where he scored 39 goals in 75 games. Mönchengladbach signed the 21-year-old to a five-year deal for a fee believed to be around 12 to 15 million Euros ($14.75 to $18.44 million).
Already a Spanish international, 23-year-old Alvaro Dominguez became yet another big summer signing for Borussia Mönchengladbach when he joined the team for 8 million Euros ($9.84 million) in June on a five-year deal from Athletico Madrid. A two-time Europe League winner, the defender will look to play an integral part in Mönchengladbach's European campaign.
A standout performance at Euro 2012 earned the Czech national a move to the Bundesliga this June on a four-year-deal. His attacking runs and distribution from the right flank have been hugely important to club and country. It has been a breakthrough year for the 25-year-old, winning the Czech league title with Slovan Liberec in addition to playing at the European Championship.
Dutch international winger Eljero Elia is making his return to the Bundesliga after a disappointing season with Juventus. He joined the Italian club for 9 million Euros ($11 million) last August, but failed to secure a regular place in the team. The 25-year-old is looking to reboot his career after previously enjoying a relatively successful two-year spell with Hamburg.
The goalkeeper joined Hoffenheim in May after seven years at Werder Bremen. A reserve keeper at the last World Cup and European Championship, the 30-year-old has been one of the better German goalies in the Bundesliga over the last several seasons. He will hope to bring consistency to a Hoffenheim defense that was anything but that at times last campaign.
Two seasons coming off the bench was enough for the Croatian striker. After a strong first year at Bayern Munich, Olic became a victim of Mario Gomez's success, and increasingly saw less playing time. Now, the 32-year-old is seeking a better chance of first team football at Wolfsburg, joining the club this summer for what will be his seventh consecutive campaign in the Bundesliga.
The Czech midfielder initially signed for Wolfsburg in January of this year. It was a smart move by the German club, as Pilar's confident display at this summer's European Championship would surely have driven up his value. The Bundesliga is 23-year-old's first league outside of the Czech Republic, and fans will hope to see the skills that helped take his team to the quarterfinals of Euro 2012.
One of a number of Swiss players to make a big summer move, Barnetta signed for Schalke on a three year deal after eight seasons at Bayer Leverkusen. The midfielder struggled to hold down a consistent place at Leverkusen in recent seasons, but when fit and healthy, his creativity can be a major boost for Schalke.
Kruse joined Freiburg from 2nd Bundesliga side St. Pauli in May. The 23-year-old winger was a standout for the Hamburg club last season, nearly helping them achieve promotion. He scored 13 goals from midfield during the campaign, establishing himself as one of Germany's brighter young offensive talents. Kruse will hope to establish himself with a regular place in the German top flight.
A number of new faces will be making their Bundeslga debuts this season, and some familiar faces will be in new uniforms. Here is a look at some of the major offseason acquisitions from around the Bundesliga.
A number of new faces will be making their Bundeslga debuts this season, and some familiar faces will be in new uniforms. Here is a look at some of the major offseason acquisitions from around the Bundesliga.
