After last season proved to be their worst for 11 years, Bayern opened the cheque book to bring some of Europe's finest talent to Munich with Ribery as the jewel in what they hope will be their 21st crown as German champions.

Bayern paid French side Marseille a reported 16 million euros, with 10 million to follow in 2008, as the 24-year-old Frenchman signed a four-year contract in June, the day after he helped destroy Georgia in Paris during a Euro 2008 qualifying game. He wasted no time impressing his new club, scoring three goals in his first two games, as Bayern won the pre-season German League Cup.

In a recent poll, 54 per cent of German sports magazine Kicker's readers believe Ribery will be the Bundesliga's new star, but the devout Muslim and impressive saxophone musician has no interest in the limelight.

"I do not want to be the team's huge superstar," Ribery said.

"I would like to work hard, settle in my job, have fun and give the fans something to celebrate. And I want a title."

So do Bayern, desperately.

After Bayern lost German captain Michael Ballack on a free-transfer to Chelsea in the summer of 2006 the German giants struggled without a midfield general and there is immense pressure on Ribery to fill that role.

It showed most in Bayern's defeat at home to eventual-champions VfB Stuttgart late last season when having gone 2-0 down, the Munich side had no one to take them by the scruff of the neck and lead the fight back.

Having learnt his trade in France's lower leagues, Ribery was snapped up by French giants Marseille in 2005 after a brief five-month stay at Turkish giants Galatasaray.

Ribery had two successful seasons at Marseille, putting in the sort of performances that attracted the interests of Real Madrid and Arsenal as France made the 2006 World Cup final.

After Marseille finished second in the French Championship last season, Bayern were convinced they had the man to fill Ballack's boots and Ribery will line up alongside talented Bastian Schweinsteiger and Dutch hardman Mark van Bommel.

The trio have the potential to forge a formidable partnership and Bayern have brought in top-class strikers who will benefit from good service.

Italian World Cup winnner Luca Toni, 30, was bought from Fiorentina and, once he recovers from a knee injury, will partner Miroslav Klose, the top-scorer at last year's World Cup.

Klose was signed from Werder Bremen, while Brazilian veteran Ze Roberto is back after a season back home with Santos, and Bayern have the attacking potential to win their Bundesliga title at a canter.

Ribery may not like it, but if Bayern win the league and lift the UEFA Cup, the Frenchman is, injury permitting, almost guaranteed to be the star in their midst.