Liverpool FC has officially announced the acquisition of Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen in a transaction that may reach £116 million ($156m), potentially making him the priciest player in the history of British football.
The 22-year-old midfielder signed a long-term deal with the Reds after reaching an agreement on personal terms and passing a medical examination.
He is the most recent addition to manager Arne Slot’s roster and reunites with his former teammate at Leverkusen, Jeremie Frimpong, who also joined Liverpool earlier this summer.
After inking his contract, the Germany international expressed his excitement and pride about joining the club after years of eagerness in an interview with Liverpoolfc.com.
“I’m really thrilled to embark on a new adventure. This was also a significant factor for me: wanting to experience something entirely different, moving out of the Bundesliga and into the Premier League.
Additionally, they won the Premier League last season, so my aim is certainly to claim it again and also advance further in the Champions League. I’m very ambitious.”
The midfielder emphasized that his transfer to Liverpool wasn’t solely for the experience but to achieve genuine success and deliver the level of performance that the fans deserve.
He shared his commitment to give his all and prove himself, stating that discussions with several players reinforced his belief that Liverpool was the ideal choice, highlighting their top-tier facilities and excellent pitches that would enhance his enjoyment of each match.
Wirtz makes his way to Merseyside following an impressive five-and-a-half-year tenure at Bayer Leverkusen, after rising through the youth system at Cologne.
He debuted in the Bundesliga at just 17 years and 15 days in May 2020 and scored his first professional goal against Bayern Munich.
By the 2020–21 season, Wirtz had solidified his position in Leverkusen’s starting lineup, receiving accolades as one of the most dynamic attacking players in the league.
His initial senior appearance for Germany took place in September 2021, but a significant injury in March 2022 kept him out for several months.
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Wirtz made a strong return, playing an important role in Leverkusen’s remarkable 2023–24 season, during which they claimed victory in both the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal and went unbeaten in league play while also reaching the Europa League final.
Although Leverkusen struggled to replicate that performance in the subsequent season, Wirtz continued to deliver high-quality displays, particularly in the Champions League, where he scored six goals in nine matches.
To date, he has achieved 31 international caps and netted seven goals for Germany, including two at UEFA Euro 2024 across five appearances.
As the newest signing under Slot’s guidance, Wirtz is set to join the Liverpool squad in July for pre-season training. His official shirt number will be revealed later in the summer.
