Liverpool confirm signing of Wataru Endo as Jurgen Klopp finally lands a midfielder
Wataru Endo has joined Liverpool from Stuttgart, and the 30-year-old has put pen to paper on a four-year deal at Anfield
Posted Saturday, August 19, 2023 by Dailystar.co.uk
Liverpool have signed Wataru Endo
Liverpool have announced the £16m signing of Japan midfielder Wataru Endo from Stuttgart.
The 30-year-old has joined the Reds on a four-year deal, which will keep him at Anfield until 2027.
Endo was captain at Stuttgart and can offer Liverpool plenty of experience and drive in the middle of the park, after they missed out on Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo to Chelsea.
Known for his combative style, the defensive midfielder has been a key part of Die Roten’s pressing higher up the pitch with him capable of recovering possession and laying on passes and chances near the opposition’s penalty box.
Endo has made 50 international appearances for Japan during his career, and Jurgen Klopp will be delighted to have secured his services before the transfer window shuts.
He will wear the No3 shirt for Liverpool, and told the club's official website: "I'm very happy right now and I'm so excited to join a big club in Liverpool.
"It feels amazing and this is my dream. It's always [been] a dream to play [in the] Premier League and with one of the biggest clubs in the world. It's a dream come true for me."
Wataru Endo wears a gum shield during games
Endo added: "It's going to be the first time for me that I play at Anfield. I can't wait to play at Anfield in front of Liverpool fans.
"I play as a No.6 and I'm like a bit more [of a] defensive player. I think I can help this club defensively and I will have good organisation in the middle. I think that's my job.
"I am very excited to join this club and I am looking forward to seeing you at Anfield!"
Klopp expressed his delight as well, saying: "I'm really happy. Wataru is a really good player. I know in this world of football how it goes and stuff like this, but have a look, have a look, because he's a really good player.
Jurgen Klopp is happy with his new arrival
"Experienced player, captain of Stuttgart, captain of Japan, speaks good English, nice fella, family man, machine on the pitch, good footballer on top of that, sensational attitude. So, I'm really happy. He's a good footballer, very experienced and loves to work extremely hard.
"He had a full pre-season. I'm not sure he played all the pre-season games but he played pre-season games, so that's all. He was in full training. When we spoke first time, he came off the training pitch! He's in a good shape.
"Of course we need to figure out how quick can we put him in, but it will not be a physical problem, let me say it like that. And the rest, he should play here the position he played for Stuttgart, so there's not a massive difference.
Romeo Lavia was Liverpool's priority target in midfield, but he joined Chelsea instead from Southampton
"Yes, of course, we do things slightly differently but in the end it would be cool if he could win challenges and pass the ball from A to B – and he will do that, definitely, from day one.
"Look, I know how this football world works and I can see that in people's eyes. The names were flying around and when they think, 'OK, they have them, they have them, they have them', do me a favour, give us a second and let's have a look. He's really good and I'm really happy with that signing, I can't say it differently. It's a really good one."
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