Liverpool complete signing of Japan international Wataru Endo from Stuttgart
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Liverpool have agreed a deal to sign Japan international Wataru Endo from Stuttgart.
The 30-year-old has put pen to paper on a 'long-term' contract with the Premier League club.
The move is subject international clearance and work permit application.
Endo told Liverpoolfc.com: "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.'
The midfielder has joined the club for a reported £19million fee.
He added: "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."
Endo becomes the club's third signing of the summer, joining midfielders Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.
What will Wataru Endo bring to Liverpool?
- @SamMcGuire is a football journalist who specialises in data, analysis and tactics, with specific knowledge on Liverpool
Why the 30-year-old? Liverpool had been linked with Sofyan Amrabat and Ibrahim Sangare over recent days as a potential stop-gap signing but the club instead opted for the 50-cap Japan international.
Adored by Stuttgart fans, he’s a player who goes under the radar. Initially, he joined the club on loan for the 2019/20 campaign when the club were in the German second tier.
The move was made permanent in the summer of 2020 and he’s practically been ever-present following their promotion to the Bundesliga, appearing in 99 of their 102 matches.
No player in the German top flight has started more games during this period of time.
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