Liverpool have signed RB Leipzig midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai in a £60 million deal, with the player signing a five-year deal until 2028.
The Hungarian becomes Liverpool’s second summer signing after the club signed Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton earlier in the window.
The 22-year-old was eager to join the Premier League side after holding conversations with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. He reportedly rejected an approach from Newcastle to sign for the Reds.
The Magpies were interested in his services and were willing to activate his £60m release clause. But the player’s desire to move to Anfield despite the promise of Champions League football at St. James’ Park was vital in Liverpool’s success in the bid and Newcastle missing out on his signature.
Reacting to the signing, Liverpool’s manager told the club’s official website: “The first thing for me to say is welcome to Liverpool, Dominik. I know how excited he is to be here with us, so it is important that he understands that we are all just as excited to have him.
“We already have a little knowledge of Dominik as an opponent because we had a couple of really tough games against Red Bull Salzburg when he was a player there, and I think everyone who saw those fixtures will have realised that even at that stage, he was a really interesting prospect.
“I’m pretty sure he was still a teenager at that time, and since then, he has made some big strides – moving to Leipzig, doing really, really well in the Bundesliga, playing for the Hungary national team and then becoming captain of his national team at an incredibly young age.”
Dominik Szoboszlai's move to Liverpool was the club's third most expensive signing 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 😲 pic.twitter.com/YrnxloD3Tx
— Transfermarkt.co.uk (@TMuk_news) July 3, 2023
Meanwhile, Szoboszlai spoke about his excitement at finally joining his dream club.
I’m joining a historical, top club. I’m very happy. The last three or four days went really long; it was not that easy.
“I’m here finally, and I really want to tell Liverpool fans that I can’t wait to see them at Anfield, can’t wait to get started”.
The 22-year-old also stated that he could not wait to walk out on the famous Anfield turf as a Liverpool player rather than an opponent.
“Of course, the stadium, the fans were unbelievable even [though] they were against us [Salzburg]. And we will see how it is when they are with me.
“I heard that it [Anfield] is going to be bigger. Of course, counting the days back because it’s a really proud time to get on the pitch in Anfield as a player for Liverpool.”
Dominik Szoboszlai's Bundesliga career by numbers:
62 games (3,989 mins)
312 penalty area entries
249 final third entries
100 shots
71 take-ons completed
62 tackles made
62 fouls won
16 assists
12 goalsAnd he won the DFB-Pokal in both seasons at RB Leipzig. 🏆🏆 pic.twitter.com/rxI4t2Qd9d
— David McGrady (@Djmc76) July 3, 2023
Jurgen Klopp’s side are expected to add more players this summer as they continue their squad rebuild. The Reds are reportedly interested in Southampton’s Romeo Lavia, who is also linked with a move to Arsenal.
