Takumi Minamino has completed a ‘dream’ move to Liverpool.
Minamino will join the European champions’ ranks when the transfer window reopens on January 1 after they triggered his £7.25 million release clause.
The Japan international caught the eye in the Reds’ two Champions League group encounters with Red Bull Salzburg and scored in the Anfield fixture.
But Minamino admits that he never envisaged joining Jurgen Klopp’s squad despite harbouring ambitions of someday playing in the Premier League.
He said: “It has been a dream, my dream to become a Liverpool player – and I’m so excited that the moment has come true.
“To play in the Premier League was one of my targets. I think this is the top-class league in the world.
“I was thinking if my career as a footballer progressed smoothly, someday I would be able to play in the Premier League.
“But I never thought I would be able to play in this team and I’m really happy about it. I’m looking forward to it.”
Klopp has hailed Minamino as ‘a wonderful signing’ and revealed some of the technical qualities which brought the 24-year-old to his attention at Salzburg.
“Takumi is a very quick, very clever player, he finds space between the lines,” said the Liverpool manager.
“He is brave with the ball but also brave without the ball – a proper team player. He makes the best of himself for the benefit of others.
“His Champions League experience is a big bonus and coming from the club and organisation he does, we know he’ll be well coached, used to an elite environment and had all the right experiences.”