Liverpool sign Jeremie Frimpong in record deal for a full-back
Liverpool have announced the signing of Jeremie Frimpong from Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen.
The Reds triggered the Netherlands international’s €35 million (£29.5m) release clause to sign him, which is the most they have ever paid to sign a full-back.
He has signed a five-year deal with the Merseyside outfit, becoming the 13th Dutch player to sign for them.
Frimpong is one of the most exciting right wing-backs in European football. He has 61 goal involvements in 138 games playing in that position.
Frimpong has also played as a right-back but came into the limelight as a wing-back at Leverkusen.
He contributed nine goals and nine assists as Leverkusen won their first-ever Bundesliga title unbeaten last season.
The 24-year-old could not replicate last season’s heights this term, chipping in with 11 goal involvements as Leverkusen lost the title to rivals Bayern Munich.
He arrives at Liverpool as a replacement for England international Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is set to leave the club as a free agent.
Alexander-Arnold announced his decision to leave Anfield earlier this month, forcing Liverpool to explore the market for a replacement.
Conor Bradley has been tipped to replace Alexander-Arnold but does not have enough first-team experience. He has played in just 55 games for the Reds.
Bradley’s consistent injuries also underscores the decision to sign a new right-back. He has missed 48 games due to injuries since making his first-team debut.
Frimpong is one of the two full-backs the Premier League champions are expected to sign this summer.
They are also targeting Bournemouth’s left-back Milos Kerkez while the signing of Frimpong’s former teammate at Leverkusen Florian Wirtz is imminent.
They could also sign another forward before the end of the transfer window due to Darwin Nunez’s possible departure.
Stats from transfermarkt.com