Japan midfielder Endo joins Liverpool for £16.2m

Liverpool have secured the signing of Japanese midfielder Wataru Endo from Stuttgart for a fee in the region of £16.2m.

The four-year deal is subject to a work permit and international clearance.

After missing out on both Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia to Chelsea, Liverpool have now turned to the Japanese.

30-year-old Endo can also fit in at centre-back but has been signed primarily as a central defensive midfielder.

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“It feels amazing,” he said. “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.

“I think I can help this club defensively and I will have good organisation in the middle.”

Endo comes in following the departures of midfielders Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain this summer.

The Reds already made midfield signings with the likes of Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister coming into the squad. Both players started the opening 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

“He’s a late bloomer”

“I’m really happy. Wataru is a really good player,” said Klopp. “He is very experienced and loves to work extremely hard.

“He’s a late bloomer, he was definitely underestimated. But he has improved every year since he has been in a proper football setting.

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“When he came to Stuttgart he got an opportunity and never gave it away. When I saw him there’s no chance I thought he was 30.”