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The France defender will join from Stuttgart in July.

World Cup star Pavard: Bayern signed me because I am one of the Bundesliga's best

‘I didn’t sign just because of that one shot,’ the 23-year-old says.

BENJAMIN PAVARD IS full of confidence ahead of his move to Bayern Munich, insisting that the Bundesliga leaders did not sign him just due to his performances at World Cup 2018.

Pavard signed for Bayern in January after a deal worth €35 million (£30m) was agreed with Stuttgart, and he will officially join Niko Kovac’s side at the end of the season.

Having enjoyed a fine maiden campaign in the Bundesliga last season, Pavard produced a string of impressive displays for France as Les Bleus triumphed in Russia, scoring an extraordinary goal in the last-16 win over Argentina.

The defender is backing himself to be a success at the Allianz Arena, despite Stuttgart enduring a difficult campaign at the wrong end of the table.

“I didn’t sign for Bayern just because of that one shot,” he told France’s Canal Football Club.

“It’s because I’m one of the best defenders in the Bundesliga. Defensively, I’m strong – and technically also.

“I’m full of confidence and I’m hungry for titles. After winning the World Cup, I’m hugely motivated to win more. For me, it was only Bayern: I couldn’t see myself going to any other club.

“You don’t say no to Bayern – they are the best club in Germany and they’re always winning lots of titles.”

Pavard has made 25 Bundesliga appearances this season, though struggling Stuttgart occupy the relegation play-off spot in the table, having lost 6-0 away at Augsburg on Saturday – a defeat that cost coach Markus Weinzierl his job.

Pavard accepts he has not always been at his best but feels some criticism of his form is unwarranted.

“I knew it wasn’t going to be easy staying here – I had expected a tough season,” the 23-year-old said.

“A lot of people have been criticising me, but very few of the actually watch my games. It’s true that I’ve made a few mistakes and I accept my share of the responsibility.”

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    Mute sams theman
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    Apr 18th 2019, 10:46 AM

    quite like the old crown paints jersey

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    Mute Ings on Fire
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    Apr 18th 2019, 1:56 PM

    @sams theman: the adidas Carlsberg sponsored jersey should be modernized and made as are home kit that kit scared away teams it was raw

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    Mute Kian
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    Apr 18th 2019, 11:31 AM

    That keeper kit is fantastic

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    Mute Bar
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    Apr 18th 2019, 10:44 AM

    Meet the new jersey, same as the old jersey!

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    Mute Seaniecp
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    Apr 18th 2019, 11:03 AM

    It’s not bad. I don’t like the way the sponsor logo is white and the crest and NB logo is yellow/gold. Looks strange. It clashes a bit. All white for me id prefer. Anywho. Looks to be last year with new balance. Massive money nike deal looks to be coming. Which is good. Having the same jersey as all nike sponsored teams….. not so good.

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    Mute Jack Ryan
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    Apr 18th 2019, 12:02 PM

    @Seaniecp: Bring back Adidas and the three stripes!

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    Mute Colm Connolly
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    Apr 18th 2019, 12:14 PM

    @Seaniecp: the sponsor logo is far too high

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    Mute Conor Pocock
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    Apr 18th 2019, 1:51 PM

    @Jack Ryan: new balance jerseys have been top notch

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    Mute Seaniecp
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    Apr 18th 2019, 1:58 PM

    @Colm Connolly: ya I guess it is really

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    Mute Brendan Moriarty
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    Apr 18th 2019, 10:55 AM

    Paisley-era shirts were all v-neck. This isn’t. #Fail

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    Mute sams theman
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    Apr 18th 2019, 11:00 AM

    @Brendan Moriarty: in fairness they do say it’s inspired by the jersey not copied

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    Mute Peter Govan
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    Apr 18th 2019, 1:20 PM

    @Brendan Moriarty: He would of been 100 this year, read into it .

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    Mute Seán Ó'Sionúir
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    Apr 18th 2019, 12:17 PM

    Can’t wait to see what monstrosities NB have planned for this terms away shirts

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    Mute Joe O'riordan
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    Apr 18th 2019, 1:38 PM

    No level of mawkish sentimentality is high enough for this crowd…

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    Mute sams theman
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    Apr 18th 2019, 1:45 PM

    @Joe O’riordan: https://the42.ie/4591563

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    Mute Willy Motley
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    Apr 18th 2019, 1:45 PM

    @Joe O’riordan: delicious salty tears

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    Mute Carnac
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    Apr 18th 2019, 2:14 PM

    @Joe O’riordan: it’s called tradition.

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    Mute Marty Morrisey
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    Apr 18th 2019, 5:00 PM

    @Joe O’riordan: Spurs new stadium, beautiful, Hazard to Madrid beautiful, Chelsea cash nipple run dry, bea…..

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    Mute Karl Cranny
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    Apr 18th 2019, 5:48 PM

    It looks OK to me, very like the one from last year (which I loved), but with the pinstripes now white. That goalie jersey should have been the away kit IMO.

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