“I was scared” – Ex-Liverpool star explains his response to one of the club’s summer signings
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Liverpool FC have finalized the signing of 23-year-old striker Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt in a deal reportedly worth up to £79 million, including a £69 million fixed fee plus £10 million in performance-related add-ons. The transfer marks a significant investment as part of manager Arne Slot's summer squad rebuild.[1][2][4]
Ekitike, a France under-21 international, completed his medical in London and agreed personal terms before flying out to join Liverpool's preseason tour in Hong Kong. His move comes after a breakout period in the Bundesliga, where he scored 22 goals in 48 matches across all competitions for Frankfurt, helping them secure Champions League qualification. He had initially joined Frankfurt on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, where he began his professional career.[1][3][4]
The striker attracted interest from Manchester United and Newcastle United, but he expressed a strong preference for Liverpool, turning down other offers. His versatility was a key factor for Liverpool; Ekitike is capable of playing as a central striker, a secondary striker, or even wide, fitting the fluid attacking style favored by Slot. Liverpool’s recruitment team valued his potential for development, ranking his early-career data alongside elite young forwards such as Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé.[1][5]
Eintracht Frankfurt senior management described the transfer as a significant achievement, emphasizing that Ekitike’s move to a club with high ambitions reflects both the player’s quality and the club’s ability to nurture talent. Due to a contractual clause, PSG will receive 20% of the total transfer fee from Frankfurt.[1]
Upon joining Liverpool, Ekitike became the latest addition following signings such as Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz, and Milos Kerkez. He made an immediate impact, scoring on his debut for the club in the FA Community Shield and netting his first Premier League goal shortly after.[3]
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