Florian Wirtz (22) has completed his move to Liverpool.

Liverpool announced on the 21st (Korean time) via the club's website, "We have reached an agreement with Bayer Leverkusen regarding Wirtz's transfer. Wirtz has completed personal negotiations and passed the medical test normally."

The contract period is until June 2030.

According to European football transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano, Leverkusen and Liverpool have agreed to a total of up to 150 million euros (approximately 236.1 billion won) for the transfer fee.

Born in 2003, Wirtz is a young talent that Germany takes pride in. He made his professional debut through Leverkusen at the age of 17 in 2020. He gained significant attention in the 2021-2022 Bundesliga season, scoring 7 goals and providing 10 assists in 24 matches. He has playmaking and penetration abilities while playing as an attacking midfielder, moving between the center and the wings.

Although he is right-footed, Wirtz is also skilled with his left foot, making him even more threatening with his scoring ability. He has scored 57 goals in a total of 197 matches for Leverkusen. He is also active in the German national team, having scored 6 goals in 29 matches.

He led Leverkusen to an undefeated Bundesliga title last season. He also experienced being a runner-up in the UEFA Europa League and winning the DFB-Pokal.

This season, Wirtz recorded 16 goals and 14 assists in 45 official matches, leaving behind good stats.

Wirtz received interest from numerous big clubs in this summer transfer window.

Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich all entered the competition, but Manchester City withdrew due to transfer fee burdens, and Bayern could not win over the player's heart.

Ultimately, Liverpool captured Wirtz's heart by putting forward their facilities and projects.

Liverpool invested a record transfer fee of 150 million euros (approximately 237.1 billion won), the highest in Premier League history, to reach an agreement.

This transfer also broke the record for the highest transfer fee in Bundesliga history. It surpassed the 121 million euros (approximately 188 billion won) that Chelsea spent to acquire Enzo Fernández and also exceeded the 105 million euros (approximately 163.5 billion won) Dortmund received when they sent Ousmane Dembélé to Barcelona in 2017.

Germany's Bild hinted that Wirtz's salary could reach a maximum of 22 million euros (approximately 34.6 billion won).

There has been a long-term interest and effort behind Liverpool's ability to acquire Wirtz. According to Sky Sports, Michael Edwards, CEO of football for Fenway Sports Group, which owns Liverpool, has been in contact with Wirtz's family since 2020 when Wirtz played in the Cologne youth team. Edwards continued to maintain communication, even when Wirtz suffered a left knee cruciate ligament injury in 2022.

Immediately after joining, Wirtz said through the club, "I am really happy and proud. It took a long time, but I am glad that the contract has finally been finalized."

He also expressed his determination for the new stage. He explained, "I am leaving the Bundesliga to join the Premier League. I am excited about the challenge in a new environment. I have wanted this change for a long time, and this transfer is the result of that choice." He added, "I am looking forward to my first match. I believe everyone will adjust well. I will do my best."

Wirtz has set a clear goal of winning at Liverpool. He emphasized, "I want to win every competition every year. That’s my role and what we have to do," saying, "I aim for the Premier League title. I want to contribute to the team's consecutive victories and aim higher in the UEFA Champions League."

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