The emotional story behind Ismael Saibari's No. 34 at Bayern Munich

Ismael Saibari has become Bayern Munich's marquee addition in this transfer window. The Moroccan attacker, born in Terrassa, Spain, lands at the Allianz Arena from PSV Eindhoven after a deal worth 50 million euros. What has caught the attention of his new fanbase is not only his talent, but the unusual number he will wear on his back: a No. 34 rarely seen on a forward.

• Saibari signs for Bayern Munich after a 50 million euro move from PSV Eindhoven.
• He chose the No. 34 as a tribute to his friend Abdelhak Nouri, a former Ajax player.
• Nouri suffered a cardiac arrest in 2017 and lives with permanent brain damage.
• Nouri himself decided which number Saibari would wear in Munich.
• His goal celebration also has a deeply personal family origin.

Who is Ismael Saibari, Bayern Munich's new attacking signing

Saibari arrives at Bayern after an outstanding season in the Eredivisie. With PSV Eindhoven he played 37 matches, scoring 19 goals and providing 9 assists. His performances drew interest from several European clubs, but it was the Bavarian giants who ultimately secured his signature.

A Morocco international, the 24-year-old winger developed his game in the Netherlands and became a key piece for PSV. In Munich he will need to earn his place in an attack packed with talent, although the club's confidence in him is clear from the significant fee they paid to bring him in.

The story of Abdelhak Nouri, the friend behind the No. 34

The reason for his choice was explained by the player himself in Bayern's official magazine, '51'. The No. 34 is a tribute to Abdelhak Nouri, the Ajax footballer who suffered a cardiac arrest during a pre-season friendly in the summer of 2017. He was just 20 years old.

Nouri survived, but the cardiac episode left him with severe and permanent brain damage. His life changed completely from that moment. Saibari's connection with Nouri's family began through the Moroccan's agent, who works with Abdelhak's brother. Over time, the bond grew into something closer to a brotherhood.

"What happened to Abdelhak simply hurts me. I talked a lot with my mother about it, and it is also part of my religion, Islam, to visit sick people. When I see Abdelhak, we always have a great time together. For me it is nice to think that perhaps his condition improves with that joy."

How Nouri reacted to the Bayern Munich move

Saibari also shared how his friend received the news of his transfer to the German giants. Abdelhak cannot speak and communicates through the movement of his eyebrows. The winger says Nouri's happiness was clear and unmistakable.

It was to him that Saibari gave the decision of which number he would wear in Munich. Nouri chose 34, and the Morocco international accepted it without hesitation. A gesture that shows the depth of a friendship forged under extremely difficult circumstances.

The origin of Saibari's goal celebration: a childhood memory

The interview also revealed the meaning behind his signature celebration, in which he runs his hands over his head before making a small final salute. It all started with a conversation with his cousin ahead of his first-team debut for PSV.

His relative suggested a gesture for him to use if he scored, and that movement refers to a shared childhood memory: when they bathed together in the sea and then showered afterwards. The little salute that follows came about spontaneously, as a natural finishing touch to the celebration. That is how a ritual was born that now accompanies the forward with every goal.

Why he chose Bayern Munich over other offers

Saibari had several options on the table before deciding his future. The factor that tipped the balance was the memory of a Champions League match with PSV against Bayern the previous season. That encounter left a lasting impression on him.

The Moroccan was struck by the aura of the Bayern players as they took the field, by the way they carried themselves and the way they played football. That visual impact made it clear to him, when the offer arrived, that Munich was the destination he wanted.

The challenge awaiting Saibari at the Allianz Arena

Moving from PSV to Bayern represents a significant step up in level. In Eindhoven he was an undisputed attacking reference, with genuine star numbers. In Munich he will have to compete for minutes with some of the best forwards in Europe.

His versatility and his ability to play out wide or through the middle give him the tools to adapt to different systems. Bayern have placed a big bet on him, and the player arrives determined to establish himself among the European elite. Talent is certainly not something he lacks.