Wataru Endo expresses immense enthusiasm for his long-awaited transition to Liverpool, describing it as a "dream" come true, and offers insights into his rationale for opting to don the No. 3 jersey on the Anfield grounds.
In an exciting Friday afternoon revelation, Liverpool Football Club introduced Endo as Jurgen Klopp's third successful summer signing.
The German side Stuttgart yielded to a €19 million (£16.2 million) deal, facilitating the arrival of this exceptional talent.
Endo, hailing from Japan and proudly holding the position of national team captain, has solidified his commitment to Liverpool by inking a four-year contract.
His versatility shines as he is proficient both as a defensive midfielder and a center-back, adding a valuable layer of flexibility to Klopp's strategic options.
The decision to bring Endo into the fold followed Liverpool's pursuit of other midfield talents, namely Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia.
However, with both players opting to join Premier League competitors Chelsea, Liverpool shifted their focus to secure the impressive capabilities of Endo.
As the anticipation for the upcoming season builds, Liverpool's supporters eagerly await the dynamic performances Endo will undoubtedly bring to Anfield.
This strategic move not only strengthens the team's composition but also showcases Klopp's determination to keep Liverpool at the forefront of football excellence.
Following the finalization of his transition to Anfield, Endo conveyed to Liverpool'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."
"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!"
Having accumulated 133 appearances for Stuttgart over the course of four seasons with the Bundesliga club, Endo emerges as Klopp's third summer signing. This comes after the acquisitions of Alexis MacAllister and Dominik Szoboszlai.