Failed To Get 2 Hunts, Liverpool Bring In Japanese Midfielder Wataru Endo, Panic Buying?

JAKARTA Liverpool officially signed Japanese midfielder Wataru Endo from Stuttgart. The 30-year-old has approved a four-year-old contract.

The Reds announced this purchase on Friday, August 18, 2023. They got the player's signature at a cost of around 16.2 million pounds, equivalent to Rp316 billion.

"Liverpool approved Wataru Endo's recruitment agreement from VfB Stuttgart with a long-term contract, including international permits and work permits," Liverpool said in a statement.

Endo is a panic purchase made by Liverpool after failing to hunt down Ecuadorian international Moises Caicedo and Belgian midfielder Romeo Lavia. Both names actually moved closer to Chelsea.

Endo was brought in with the aim of playing defensive midfielder even though he has the ability to play as a centre-back.

Liverpool midfielder positions are currently in disarray after the departure of Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Naby Keita, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain this summer.

"It feels great. It's always been a dream to play in the Premier League and be with one of the biggest clubs in the world. This is a dream come true for me," Endo said.

Endo, who has 50 caps for Japan, joined Stuttgart initially on a one-season loan in 2019 from Belgian club Sint-Truiden. The deal was permanent a year later.

Endo is Liverpool's third buyer of the season. The club based in Anfield has previously obtained Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.