Bayern's $30 million man paying dividends

• by Mike Woitalla  @MikeWoitalla, Feb 25, 2014

[VIDEO PICK: Skills] After winning last season's Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup titles, Bayern Munich still sought reinforcements and paid Barcelona $30 million for midfielder Thiago Alcantara, who has not disappointed.

Thiago, the son of Brazilian 1994 World Cup winner Mazinho, spent his childhood in Italy, Spain and Brazil, joining Barcelona at age 14. But competition for playing time with Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas and Sergio Busquets prompted his move to Germany.

With Bayern, Thiago has averaged more than 80 passes per Bundesliga game with a success rate of more than 90 percent this season.

Last weekend, in Bayern’s 4-0 win at Hannover 96, he assisted, scored and completed 96 percent of his passes -- and was named Bundesliga’s Player of the Week.