Liverpool have announced the transfer of Germany international Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen in a deal which could sum up to £116 million.
Wirtz completes a switch to the Premier League champions for an initial fee of £100 million, with £16 million worth of add-ons included in the deal as Liverpool smashed their club record transfer which was previously held by Darwin Nunez following his move from Benfica.
The deal could also surpass the British record of £115 million transfer set by Chelsea for Moises Caicedo in 2023 – if the add-ons are reached.
“I feel very happy and very proud. Finally it’s done and I was waiting for a long time – finally it’s done and I am really happy,” Wirtz said to Liverpool’s media.
“I’m really excited to have a new adventure in front of me. This was also a big point of my thoughts: that I want to have something completely new, to go out of the Bundesliga and to join the Premier League.
“I will see how I can perform there. I hope I can do my best. I spoke also with some players who played there and they told me that it’s perfect for me and every pitch is perfect, you can enjoy every game. I’m really looking forward to playing my first game.”
Wirtz made his debut for Leverkusen aged 17 and has since grown into a fully fledged superstar.
Last season, he recorded 16 goals and 15 assists as Leverkusen ended second in the Bundesliga and reached the Champions League round of 16.
Wirtz was vital to the 2023/24 side under Xabi Alonso as they won the Bundesliga title for the first time in their history.
He totalled 18 goals and 20 assists across 49 games in all competitions during the campaign and was awarded as the Bundesliga Player of the Season.
Wirtz also has 31 appearances to his name for Germany, netting seven goals since making his debut in 2021.
“I would like to win everything every year! First of all, we have to do our work, I have to make my work,” he added.
“In the end, we want to be successful. Last season they won the Premier League so my goal is for sure to win it again and also to go further in the Champions League. I’m really ambitious.”
Wirtz is Liverpool’s second signing of the summer from Leverkusen, with full-back Jeremie Frimpong arriving earlier on and Milos Kerkez is also reportedly expected to complete a switch to Anfield soon.
