Takumi Minamino has described his transfer to Liverpool as a “dream” after the deal was officially confirmed by the club this morning.
The 24-year-old Japanese playmaker joins for a fee of £7.25m from Red Bull Salzburg, after completing his medical on Wednesday, and will officially become a Liverpool player on 1 January.
“It has been a dream, my dream to become a Liverpool player. And I’m so excited that the moment has come true,” Minamino said after the news was announced.
“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.”
1/23 Alisson (GK)
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2/23 Trent Alexander-Arnold (RB)
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3/23 Virgil van Dijk (CB)
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4/23 Joel Matip (CB – currently injured)
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5/23 Andrew Robertson (LB)
Andy Robertson believes Liverpool have what it takes
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6/23 Fabinho (Currently injured)
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7/23 Georginio Wijnaldum (CM)
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8/23 Takumi Minamino (CAM)
Salzburg’s Takumi Minamino
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9/23 Sadio Mane (LW)
Both Liverpool and Salzburg have reason to be thankful and proud of Sadio Mane
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10/23 Roberto Firmino (ST)
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11/23 Mohamed Salah (RW)
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12/23 Adrian (Sub)
Adrian celebrates with Jurgen Klopp
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13/23 Dejan Lovren (Sub)
Dejan Lovren scored Liverpool’s equaliser against Napoli
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14/23 Joe Gomez (Sub)
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15/23 Naby Keita (Sub)
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16/23 Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Sub)
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain celebrates scoring Liverpool’s opener
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17/23 Jordan Henderson (Sub)
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18/23 Divock Origi (Sub)
Divock Origi celebrates scoring his second goal of the night
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19/23 James Milner (Rotation)
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20/23 Adam Lallana (Rotation)
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21/23 Xherdan Shaqiri (Rotation)
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22/23 Curtis Jones (Rotation)
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23/23 Rhian Brewster (Rotation)
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1/23 Alisson (GK)
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2/23 Trent Alexander-Arnold (RB)
EPA
3/23 Virgil van Dijk (CB)
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4/23 Joel Matip (CB – currently injured)
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5/23 Andrew Robertson (LB)
Andy Robertson believes Liverpool have what it takes
AP
6/23 Fabinho (Currently injured)
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7/23 Georginio Wijnaldum (CM)
EPA
8/23 Takumi Minamino (CAM)
Salzburg’s Takumi Minamino
AP
9/23 Sadio Mane (LW)
Both Liverpool and Salzburg have reason to be thankful and proud of Sadio Mane
Getty
10/23 Roberto Firmino (ST)
AP
11/23 Mohamed Salah (RW)
AFP via Getty Images
12/23 Adrian (Sub)
Adrian celebrates with Jurgen Klopp
Getty
13/23 Dejan Lovren (Sub)
Dejan Lovren scored Liverpool’s equaliser against Napoli
Getty Images
14/23 Joe Gomez (Sub)
CameraSport via Getty Images
15/23 Naby Keita (Sub)
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16/23 Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Sub)
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain celebrates scoring Liverpool’s opener
Getty
17/23 Jordan Henderson (Sub)
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18/23 Divock Origi (Sub)
Divock Origi celebrates scoring his second goal of the night
Getty
19/23 James Milner (Rotation)
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20/23 Adam Lallana (Rotation)
REUTERS
21/23 Xherdan Shaqiri (Rotation)
REUTERS
22/23 Curtis Jones (Rotation)
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23/23 Rhian Brewster (Rotation)
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Minamino also revealed what he’d learned from playing against Liverpool in the Champions League group stage.
“From those games I learned this team has such a high level of technique and intensity,” he added. “Their football is of such a high level and I did feel that they were the champions of the Champions League. Feeling that, it makes me feel even happier that I can play in this team. I’m really happy to be part of that team.
“My target is to win the Premier League and the Champions League, and to make good contributions to the team.”
Minamino had made 199 appearances for Salzburg, scoring 64 goals, while becoming an established Japan international.
