Liverpool have completed the acquisition of Japan international Wataru Endo from Stuttgart in a £19 million ($24 million) agreement.
The Premier League heavyweights have announced that the versatile 30-year-old has agreed to a long-term deal at Anfield as they await international clearance and a work visa. Endo is the Reds’ third acquisition in a hectic summer of arrivals and departures on Merseyside, after the signings of Alexis MacAllister and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Endo, who can play in midfield or defence, has told the Reds’ 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.”
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. I am very excited to join this club and I am looking forward to seeing you at Anfield!”
THE BIGGER PICTURE: Endo has spent the last four seasons in Germany with Stuttgart, taking in over 130 appearances and scoring 15 goals. Prior to making his way to the Bundesliga, the Japanese star spent time in his homeland with Shonan Bellmare and Urawa Red Diamonds, while also representing Sint-Truidense in Belgium.
