Hendrik Bonmann reveals how close he came to joining Bayern

Speaking to SPORT1, the 32-year-old explained that discussions had progressed to the point where the key details appeared to be settled.

“Actually, everything between us had already been agreed,” Bonmann said.

However, the opportunity disappeared when Sven Ulreich continued at Bayern Munich and signed a new contract, leaving Bonmann without the move he had been anticipating.

“At the end of the day, they didn’t need me after all. Sven Ulreich carried on and extended his contract,” he added.

The revelation offers a glimpse of how close Bonmann came to joining one of Germany’s biggest clubs, despite taking a career path that has led him away from the Bundesliga.

Bonmann spent four years at Borussia Dortmund between 2013 and 2017. He subsequently represented 1860 Munich and Würzburger Kickers before moving abroad to join Wolfsberger AC in Austria.

His next step came in 2024, when he signed for Bulgarian side Ludogorets Razgrad. There, he has established himself as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper.

The prospect of joining Bayern would have represented a major change in circumstances. Instead of continuing as a regular starter abroad, Bonmann would have entered a squad featuring established international players and competed for opportunities at the highest level of German football.

The goalkeeper’s account also makes clear that the proposed move was more than a speculative rumour. In the SPORT1 interview, he confirmed that Bayern’s interest had been serious, even though the transfer ultimately did not happen.

Bonmann has continued his career in Bulgaria, where Ludogorets have provided him with a platform to play regularly and gain experience outside Germany.

His story is a reminder that transfer negotiations can reach an advanced stage without producing a move. In this case, the decisive factor was not a disagreement over terms, according to Bonmann, but Bayern’s changing need for another goalkeeper after Ulreich committed his future to the club.

For Bonmann, the switch to Munich remains a near-miss rather than a completed chapter in his career.