Liverpool have signed midfielder Wataru Endo from Stuttgart for around £16.2m (€19m), subject to a work permit and international clearance.
The 30-year-old Japan international has signed a four-year contract.
Liverpool brought in Endo after losing Ecuadorian international Moises Caicedo and Belgian midfielder Romeo Lavia to Chelsea.
Endo can also play as a central defender, but was mainly recruited as a central defensive midfielder.
“He’s great,” he said. “It’s always been a dream to play in the Premier League and for one of the biggest clubs in the world. It’s a dream come true for me.
“I think I can help this club in defense and I will have good organization in the centre.”
The signing of Japanese captain Endo, who has also captained Stuttgart, follows the departures of midfielders Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain from the Reds this summer.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has already secured reinforcements at center park, with new signings Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai starting Sunday’s 1-1 opener draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
‘A monster in the field’
“I’m really happy. “Wataru is a very good player,” Klopp said. “He is very experienced and likes to work extremely hard.”
“He’s a late player, he was definitely underrated but he’s improved every year since playing in a real football environment.”
“When he came to Stuttgart, he had an opportunity and never gave it up. When I saw him, there’s no way I thought he was 30.” “He’s a monster on the pitch and he wants to fight. He’s been on my radar for a while. I’m personally very happy and now let’s get to work.
Endo, who has 50 caps for Japan, first joined Stuttgart on a season-long loan from Belgian side St. Truiden in 2019 before the deal became permanent a year later.
“In terms of sport and personality, we are losing a very reliable player and captain in Wataru,” said Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeneß.
“The important goals he scored are only part of the reason why he is so important to us.” “The fact that he can achieve his dream of playing in the Premier League at the age of 30 is also a recognition for the club and the people who have accompanied him here. I wish him the best.”
