MUNICH — Peru striker Claudio Pizarro is returning to Bayern Munich on a free transfer after a five-year absence.

Bayern, the Bundesliga and European runnerup, announced on Saturday that the 33-year-old Pizarro signed a one-year deal, after he refused German rival Werder Bremen's offer of a contract extension.

Bayern sporting director Christian Nerlinger said it was "very happy" with the transfer for "an internationally experienced and very dangerous striker."

Pizarro is the highest scoring foreign player in Bundesliga history with 160 goals in 333 appearances. He scored 71 times in 174 league games for Bayern from 2001-07.