Liverpool Football Club has officially announced the acquisition of Swiss international Xherdan Shaqiri, finalizing a long-term agreement with the dynamic winger. The Premier League giants confirmed the transfer after activating the £13 million release clause in Shaqiri's contract with Stoke City, as detailed on the club's official website.
Shaqiri, aged 26, brings a wealth of experience from some of Europe's most prestigious clubs. His career began at FC Basel in Switzerland, where he secured multiple league titles, before moving to Bayern Munich in Germany. At Bayern, he added to his trophy collection, notably winning the UEFA Champions League in 2013, and later had a stint with Internazionale in Italy before joining Stoke City in August 2015 for a reported fee of £12 million.
During his three seasons at Stoke City, Shaqiri made a significant impact, featuring in 84 Premier League matches and netting 15 goals. His time at the club saw Stoke City's relegation to the EFL Championship at the end of the 2017-2018 campaign, which likely influenced his decision to seek a new challenge at Liverpool.
Liverpool's manager, Jürgen Klopp, expressed strong enthusiasm for the signing, describing it as a 'no-brainer' and highlighting his long-standing admiration for Shaqiri from their time in Germany. Klopp praised the player's speed, technical ability, and the right blend of arrogance and bravery that make him well-suited for the intense demands of the Premier League.
On the international front, Shaqiri has been a key figure for Switzerland, earning 74 caps and scoring 21 goals. He recently represented his nation at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, playing all four matches and delivering a memorable 90th-minute winner against Serbia in the group stage. Switzerland's tournament ended in the Last 16 with a defeat to Sweden.
Following the contract signing, Shaqiri conveyed his excitement about joining Liverpool, a club he had previously aspired to play for. He emphasized his desire to compete at the highest level, improve his skills, and win titles, aligning with Liverpool's ambitions for the upcoming season. He has been allocated the number 23 jersey.
This transfer marks Liverpool's third signing of the summer, complementing the arrivals of Naby Keita from RB Leipzig and Fabinho from AS Monaco, as Klopp continues to bolster his squad for the challenges ahead.
Based on reporting from English Wikinews RSS feed..