Wataru Endo signs for Liverpool

Liverpool have moved swiftly to sign Wataru Endo from VfB Stuttgart, with the Japanese midfielder agreeing a three-year deal at Anfield. The Reds have paid an up front £16.2 million to sign the 30-year-old.

Endo joins Liverpool after the Reds missed out on Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, both of whom joined Chelsea during this transfer window. Endo is seen as a perfect replacement for the outgoing Fabinho and Jordan Henderson. The two departing midfielders both moved to Saudi Arabia earlier in the summer.

“I'm very happy right now and I'm so excited to join a big club in Liverpool,” Endo told Liverpool's official website.

“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.

“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.”

In taking the number 3 shirt at Liverpool, it is indicated that the club see him as a like-for-like replacement for Fabinho.