Xherdan Shaqiri completes Inter Milan switch

Swiss international Xherdan Shaqiri has officially joined Inter from Bayern Munich on a four-and-a-half-year contract, snubbing interest from Everton, Liverpool and Stoke City. 

Midfielder Shaqiri put pen to paper on the deal late on Friday, becoming the club`s second winter transfer market acquisition after Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski, who has joined on loan until the end of the season.

A statement from Inter said: "FC Internazionale is delighted to announce that Xherdan Shaqiri in now an Inter player.

"The Switzerland international has put pen to paper on a four-and-a-half-year contract until 30 June 2019.

"On behalf of everyone at the club, we would like to wish Shaqiri a very warm welcome."

Shaqiri, who scored three goals for Switzerland during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, had not played regularly at Bayern in the face of competition from Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben.

He had been courted by several teams from the English Premier League, but said Inter coach Roberto Mancini had helped sway his decision.

"Mancini called me and said he really wanted me at the club. I`m happy to be working with him," Shaqiri told Sky Sport Italia. 

After a three-year absence from the Champions League, 2010 European champions Inter are desperate to qualify for next season`s competition.

Mancini`s side currently lie 11th in Serie A, 18 points behind leaders and champions Juventus and eight behind Lazio in the third and final Champions League qualifying spot ahead of Sunday`s home game with Genoa.

Shaqiri added: "I`m delighted to be be here at Inter. For sure, our target is to qualify for the Champions League.

"I don`t want to talk about Bayern Munich, I`m just glad to be here and want to focus on my objectives with Inter."