Liverpool complete signing of Xherdan Shaqiri

Liverpool have formally announced the signing of Swiss international Xherdan Shaqiri from Stoke City for a fee of £13million.

The Reds’ interest in Shaqiri emerged in the early part of the window and this week they triggered the modest release clause which was activated by Stoke’s relegation from the Premier League last season.

Serie A side Lazio provided the only serious competition, entering the race late on, but the player has publicly expressed a desire to remain in the first tier of English football and Anfield was always his preferred destination, having been denied the move back in 2014 when he was at Bayern Munich.

Shaqiri flew into Merseyside on Thursday night, having cut short his post-World Cup holiday, and completed his medical on Friday morning with personal terms already agreed.

He has agreed a five-year deal and will don the number 23 shirt vacated by Emre Can.

READ: Milner lines up Celtic Park charity match

READ: Why Xherdan Shaqiri did not sign for Liverpool back in 2014

The charismatic 26-year-old joined Stoke from Inter Milan in 2015 and quickly emerged as one of the Potters’ most important players, thrilling supporters with his pace, power and capacity for the spectacular.

He recorded an impressive eight goals and seven assists last season even as his team saw their 10-year stay in the Premier League come to an end.

Shaqiri has been signed to address a perceived lack of attacking depth, regarded as one of Liverpool’s key weaknesses. He is expected to provide back-up to starting wingers Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane but should benefit from Klopp’s rotation policy with the Reds set to fight on four fronts next season.

He is the club’s second signing of the summer after defensive midfielder Fabinho joined from Monaco at the end of May.

Klopp is now set to pursue a versatile attacking midfielder, his supposed priority, but is likely to promote Danny Ward to the no. 1 spot rather than buy a new goalkeeper.

The post Liverpool complete signing of Xherdan Shaqiri appeared first on AnfieldHQ.

Source: anfieldhq.com