Liverpool transfer news: Naby Keita reveals why he chose to join Jürgen Klopp's side
The 23-year-old joins a few believed to be in the region of £48million and takes Steven Gerrard's iconic number 8 shirt
Liverpool have officially announced the signing of RB Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita.
The 23-year-old joins a few believed to be in the region of £48million and takes Steven Gerrard's iconic number 8 shirt.
He is Jürgen Klopp's second signing of the summer following the arrival of fellow midfielder Fabinho from Monaco last month.
How could Liverpool line up next season?
Show all 12The Guinea international is delighted to have finally have completed his move after the Reds initially agreed the transfer a year ago.
And the man himself is itching to get started after already talking to striker Sadio Mane about what he has to expect.
“When you see how they performed last season it makes me want to do the same and to be a part of this team. I would like to be able to achieve a similar kind of season with them next season – but even better.
“I chose Liverpool because it is a team I watched often - and I also spoke a lot about it with Sadio [Mane]. He told me a lot about the team and the club.
“I also spoke with the coach, who told me about the project for the team and that motivated me to be here.”
Keita takes the shirt worn so famously by Gerrard and has revealed that he was personally handed the jersey by the new Rangers boss at Melwood last August.
“It was an incredible day for me. He gave me the No.8 jersey. When it happened, it was a surprise and I didn’t expect it," he added.
“When he came in, I looked and him and said, ‘wow’ because he is a legend. He is somebody who always showed respect, who gave his all on the pitch, somebody who is loved here.
“If somebody like that gives you his shirt number, it’s not to play around with, it is to try and do as much as he did – that’s my motivation.”
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