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Wirtz is unveiled as a Liverpool player.

(Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Former Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann has claimed the pursuit of Florian Wirtz began five years ago, when the then teenager opted to join Bayer Leverkusen when at FC Koln.

And 2005 Champions League winner Hamann believes Wirtz may be "the catalyst for Liverpool to dominate the Premier League for years to come", such is the new signing's quality.

The Reds struck a deal worth a potential British record of £116m last week to sign the 22-year-old after negotiations with Leverkusen that saw them rebuff offers of £109m and £114m.

READ MORE:Florian Wirtz Liverpool injury fear assessed as truth revealed over 43-game absenceREAD MORE:Liverpool should do the unthinkable in the transfer market after shock £35m sale

The Premier League champions will pay an initial £100m for the Germany international, with the £16m worth of add-ons potentially Wirtz the most expensive player in English football history, should they be unlocked.

Hamann, who made 283 appearances during an Anfield career that saw him win six major honours, suggested Liverpool's charm offensive for Wirtz dates back to 2020, prior to his move from Koln to Leverkusen in January of that year.

"Apparently Liverpool have been in contact with Florian Wirtz for a long time, he and his family were impressed with how the club went about their business," Hamann told Wette.de.

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"Liverpool tried to get him when he joined Bayer Leverkusen five years ago and have always been in touch, the interest then warmed again over the last year but nobody knew.

"Bayern Munich were very vocal about wanting him so everyone expected him to go there, but from what I’ve heard, he met Arne Slot who showed him around the training ground and that's when he made his mind up.

"If there were any doubts for him, meeting all the staff put that to rest and I think he has made a fantastic choice.

He won the league and cup in Germany and did so without needing to sign for Bayern.

"Liverpool have got a fantastic player, a skillful player that makes other players better.

He has a fantastic understanding with Jeremie Frimpong which is another bonus and what I like about him is that he got kicked around quite a bit in Germany but he looks after himself."

Hamann added: "I don’t think Florian Wirtz will be fazed because there have been rumours over his future for the last 12 months and it didn’t impact his performances once.

"He is a fantastic player and all that uncertainty is gone now, it probably wasn’t easy for a while but he will love it at Liverpool.

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"He doesn’t shirk a challenge and doesn’t mind getting physical.

In the past we have seen technical players struggle because of the physical side, but I don’t see that danger here.

"He is a brilliant footballer and is lethal going forwards, he will be the best player in the team and he could be the catalyst for Liverpool to dominate the Premier League for years to come.

"The fans will love him and these are exciting times, I can’t wait to see him wear the red shirt."