Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net

Florian Wirtz has become Liverpool's record signing(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Florian Wirtz has made a blockbuster move to Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen, with the 22-year-old sealing the deal for an initial £100m rising to £116m and putting pen to paper on a long-term contract at Anfield.

Wirtz always had his heart set on a switch to Anfield, leading to Liverpool securing a transfer fee below Leverkusen's £126m asking price.

The compromise was struck last week, much to the delight of the Reds.

Labelled as one of the most exciting talents in European football, Wirtz was hotly pursued by the likes of Bayern Munich and Manchester City before opting for the Merseyside club.

SPORT BILD journalist Phillip Arens shared his enthusiasm with The Times, telling Liverpool fans: "Dear Liverpool fans, congratulations for having Florian Wirtz at Anfield.

Wirtz and Liverpool will be a perfect match.

I followed him as a reporter at Bayer Leverkusen from his first days when he was 16 years old in 2020.", reports the Liverpool Echo.

Arens also recounted: "When the speaker at the BayArena announced the Bayer squad, the fans screamed the word 'Fussballgott' after only one player - Wirtz.

Calling a player 'god of football' is a typically German way of showing love and respect."

Article continues below

Upon finalising his transfer, Wirtz himself expressed his ambitions, stating that he didn't come to Anfield just 'to have fun', but believes it's the ideal place for him to develop and achieve success.

Florian Wirtz waves to the Bayer Leverkusen fans.(Image: Jorg Schuler/Bayer 04 Leverkusen via Getty Images)

The player stated: "I just thought that it was the right point in my career to make the next step and, of course, I wanted to get to a club that is from the top three in the world, and Liverpool was one of them.

"The people say I'm a creative player and I hope I can bring this creativity to the team and also the joy on the pitch.

I hope I can just make the team one step better."

Wirtz's arrival has delighted Liverpool fans(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

He explained that his decision to join Liverpool was influenced by the club's people, vision, and offerings, saying: "I just saw myself in the best hands in Liverpool.
For more news relating to Manchester City, visit our sister site City Latest Live.