Bayern Munich have announced that almost 30,000 new members registered with the German giants, meaning that supporters now own 81.8% of shares in the Bavarian giants.

Last season's treble winners now have a club record 217,241 paid members, making Bayern the first German club to pass the 200,000 mark for fan ownership.

Bundesliga regulations ensure that fans must hold at least 51% of shares in each club, with Bayern now far exceeding that minimum requirement.

Club president Uli Hoeness lauded the growth in fan inclusion at the Allianz Arena, declaring that the Champions League holders are close to becoming the world's biggest side.

He told the club's official website: "We at FC Bayern are very proud of this sensational growth in membership in the space of just one year.

"If it carries on like this, it's only a small step to becoming the biggest club in the world by membership."

Portuguese club Benfica currently have the most registered members of any club in Europe (224,000).