"I'm happy the transfer has been worked out," Podolski told a news conference at Germany's World Cup training camp.

"I'm looking forward to a new challenge, a new city and a new club. Bayern are the best in Germany. It's the best address."

Podolski, 20, did not offer any details about the contract, which club officials said still has to be signed, nor about the transfer fee, which Germany media have reported to be between 10 million euros (12.8 million dollars) and 11 million.

He could have left after next season for a fixed fee of one million euros. Cologne were relegated at the end of the last season while Bayern Munich won the championship.

Podolski spent one season in the second division with Cologne, in 2004/05, and said he did not want to miss another year in the Bundesliga despite his loyalty to his home-town club, Cologne.