Liverpool Officially Announce £19 Million Signing of Wataru Endo and Allocate Distinct Jersey Number After Caicedo and Lavia Deals Fall Through
Liverpool has confirmed the £19 million acquisition of midfielder Wataru Endo from Stuttgart.
The 30-year-old Japan international has signed a four-year contract with the Reds as Jurgen Klopp looks to strengthen his team’s midfield.
It comes after Chelsea beat them to both Brighton’s Moises Caicedo and Southampton’s Romeo Lavia.
Endo, who will join Liverpool pending a work permit and international clearance, told the club’s website, “I’m very happy right now and I’m so excited to join a famous club in Liverpool.
“It feels incredible, and I’m living my fantasy. It has always been a goal of mine to play in the Premier League for one of the world’s largest clubs. This is my fantasy come true.”
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Endo has made 133 appearances for Bundesliga club Stuttgart, scoring 15 goals and registering 12 assists since joining from Belgian club Sint-Truiden.
He was the captain of Stuttgart and is currently the captain of Japan, for whom he has 50 appearances.
Now he is playing alongside Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai in the new-look Liverpool midfield.
He continued, “I’ll be playing at Anfield for the first time. I cannot wait to perform in front of Liverpool fans at Anfield.
“I compete as a No. 6 and I am primarily a defensive player. I believe I can assist this team defensively, and I will be well-organized in the midfield. I believe that is my duty.
“I am thrilled to be joining this club, and I look forward to seeing you at Anfield!”
Endo, despite being a midfielder, will don No. 3 for Liverpool.
This is an unusual selection, as the No. 3 spot is typically given to a defender.
Nonetheless, former midfielder Fabinho, who departed the team earlier this summer, also wore the jersey.
Klopp stated to LFCTV, “I’m very pleased. Wataru is a very talented performer.
“I understand how things work in the realm of football, but take a good look at him because he’s a fantastic football player.
“Experienced player, captain of Stuttgart and Japan, fluent in English, good-natured, a family man, a machine on the field, and a fine footballer on top of that, with a phenomenal attitude. I am thus extremely pleased.
“He’s a good footballer, very experienced, and he loves to work extremely hard.”
