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

Leverkusen's German forward Florian Wirtz applauds after the UEFA Europa League Group G football match Bayer 04 Leverkusen v Celtic in Leverkusen(Image: Photo by Ina Fassbender / AFP)

Joe Hart is excited to see Florian Wirtz move to the Premier League, having been blown away by the German when previously facing him as an opponent.

The 22-year-old is set to join Liverpool in a club-record deal worth up to £116m.

The Reds have agreed what would be a British record fee with Bayer Leverkusen, with the Germany international set to undergo a medical and finalise his switch to Anfield later this week.

Bayern Munich had previously been favourites to sign Wirtz, while Man City had also made the German their first-choice target to replace Kevin De Bruyne.

Don't make the same mistake as Man Utd when announcing Florian Wirtz

Hart twice played against Wirtz during his own playing days.

And despite his status as a Man City legend, the two-time Premier League winner is looking forward to seeing the playmaker ply his trade in England - even if it is for one of their biggest title-rivals.

“It's something you have got to celebrate as a Premier League fan,” he told talkSPORT.

“It's not done, I'm not a big speculator but until it's done on the dotted line and he's holding that shirt, I'm not really going to talk about him as a Liverpool player.

“But I can talk about him as a Bayer Leverkusen player...

But it is really exciting for the Premier League.”

Hart faced off against Wirtz twice in the Europa League group-stages back in the 2021/22, as the then 18-year-old tormented the former England international’s Celtic side.

First meeting at Celtic Park in September 2021, Wirtz was on the scoresheet for Bayer Leverkusen - finishing past Hart from close-range - as they ran out 4-0 winners.

Florian Wirtz of Bayer 04 Leverkusen scores their side's second goal past Joe Hart of Celtic during the UEFA Europa League group G match between Celtic FC and Bayer Leverkusen at Celtic Park (Image: 2021 Getty Images)Article continues below

Then facing off back in Germany the following November, Wirtz claimed two assists - including the 87th minute winner for Moussa Diaby - as Leverkusen clinched a narrow 3-2 victory.


For more news relating to Celtic, visit our sister site Celtic Latest Live.