Thursday 25 August 2016 10:21, UK
Mats Hummels says he is surprised by the outrage shown by some Borussia Dortmund fans towards his move to Bayern Munich.
The German defender, who joined Dortmund from Bayern in 2008, re-signed for the Bavarian club this summer for a fee reported to be in excess of 30m euros.
The switch did not go down well among Dortmund fans, who felt he would never leave their club, but Hummels does not feel he warrants any criticism for joining the champions after dedicating his last eight years to the Westphalians.
"It has quickly been made out to be ingratitude, but then what does gratitude mean?" Hummels said in Kicker magazine.
"Does gratitude mean that you have to spend your whole life with this one club? I feel I have always been fully and absolutely loyal to my club.
"I have been a little bit surprised by the magnitude of the reaction. I thought people already knew about the bond I had with Munich.
"I've been spending my time in Munich in each of the last summer and winter breaks. It's quite strange that I of all people am being accused of trampling over the values of club loyalty."
Many Dortmund fans showed understanding for Hummels' move, however, and he shook hands and exchanged words with a large group of the club's followers after Bayern's 2-0 win in the Supercup at the Westfalenstadion just a few weeks ago.
However, he had been whistled by a large proportion of the fans during that game and admitted afterwards that the hostile reception had got to him.
