Liverpool have announced the signing of Red Bull Salzburg playmaker Takumi Minamino after he passed a medical.
The PA news agency understands the 24-year-old Japan international, who impressed in two Champions League matches against Jurgen Klopp’s side this season, has signed a four-and-a-half-year contract.
He arrives for a bargain £7.25million after the Reds activated his release fee last week.
We can confirm an agreement has been reached with @redbullsalzburg for the transfer of Takumi Minamino ?
リヴァプールフットボールクラブは南野拓実選手の移籍についてレッドブル・ザルツブルクと合意に達したことを発表する pic.twitter.com/2yH2N0v3Y1
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 19, 2019
Minamino will officially become a Liverpool player on January 1 and will go straight into Klopp’s squad, meaning he could be involved in the FA Cup third round tie at home to Everton on January 5.
“It has been a dream, my dream to become a Liverpool player. And I’m so excited that the moment has come true,” Minamino told Liverpoolfc.com.
“To play in the Premier League was one of my targets. I think this is the top-class league in the world; I was thinking if my career as a footballer progressed smoothly, someday I would be able to play in the Premier League.
“But I never thought I would be able to play in this team and I’m really happy about it. I’m looking forward to it.”
On his experience against Liverpool this season Minamino added: “From those games I learned this team has such a high level of technique and intensity.
“My target is to win the Premier League and the Champions League, and to make good contributions to the team.”
