Senegalese striker Nicolas Jackson has begun what promises to be a pivotal chapter in his career — a loan from Chelsea to German powerhouse Bayern Munich. Amid a dramatic transfer saga, Jackson has openly expressed both delight and gratitude at the opportunity to play alongside one of the world’s premier forwards, Harry Kane, at a club steeped in history and success.
Jackson’s arrival did not come without its twists. Late in the transfer window, the deal appeared to collapse after England youth international Liam Delap suffered an injury at Chelsea, prompting the club to withdraw and recall Jackson, who had already arrived in Munich.
However, behind the scenes, smooth reconciliation between Chelsea and Bayern’s sporting leadership ultimately saw the deal revived. Bayern agreed to a loan fee of approximately €16.5 million — the largest in club history — with a conditional obligation to buy reported to be around €65 million.
Once the deal was sealed, Jackson’s enthusiasm was immediate and heartfelt. “I’m really happy to now be part of this great club,” he said, adding, “Bayern is one of the best clubs in the world. Everyone knows the names of the legends who’ve played here and knows that this club stands for the greatest success.”
In another interview, he expanded on his excitement at joining forces with Kane: “The most important thing won’t be Harry and I, but the whole team. It’s a huge honour. Kane is one of the best strikers in the world. I hope to learn from him, complement his game, and build a strong bond on the pitch. We are two strikers who complement each other very well on the pitch, and we will work hard to ensure the results live up to expectations.” He later reiterated this sentiment: “Playing with a striker of his calibre and all the others will definitely help me improve.”
Jackson’s relationship with former manager Mauricio Pochettino — who offered him the same counsel previously given to Kane — underscores just how closely aligned their development paths have been.
Jackson explained, “It’s the same thing… he told Harry the same thing he is telling me. Just continue, you miss but later it will be easy when you start to improve and get experience.” Such words embody his mindset: growth through patience and persistence.
Beyond his admiration for Kane, Jackson has made clear his broader ambitions at Bayern. When asked about the transfer’s turbulent gestation and how he handled the uncertainty, he responded with calm confidence: “To be honest, my agents and I were quite confident. I did not doubt that I would sign with Bayern, so I took the situation ‘philosophically’… I’m in good health… Nothing else matters, that is how I thought of it.”
He also expressed gratitude and commitment: “I felt very strong emotions… I was simply very happy to sign for one of the biggest clubs in the world… Now I’m 100% focused on my new project and I can’t wait to experience the incredible atmosphere at the Allianz Arena. I promise to give my all, every minute, every game, every training session… I’m here to work hard, help the team win, and grow every day. That’s my mission.”
Jackson’s move to Munich signals a clear change in trajectory from his time at Chelsea. Though he enjoyed flashes of brilliance — notably helping the club win both the UEFA Conference League and the Club World Cup — he found himself edged down the pecking order under coach Enzo Maresca.
He acknowledged the natural ebb and flow of footballing careers, stating: “Football is full of cycles; sometimes things do not go as they should, and that is part of the game… I respect Maresca a lot… I just needed something different in this part of my career. I have absolutely no regrets, I am just extremely thankful for the time I spent at Chelsea.”