Japanese team leader seals move to Merseyside club
Liverpool Secures Surprise Defensive Midfield Reinforcement
Switching gears, it appears that Liverpool has made a strategic move by acquiring the services of Japanese national team captain, Wataru Endo, from VfB Stuttgart. According to recent reports by Fabrizio Romano, this new addition comes following a finalized deal for an estimated €19M - €20M.
Endo, who turns 31 on the signing date, is expected to ink a three-year pact with the Reds after passing a medical assessment, currently scheduled for today. English outlet, The Athletic, had previously reported that Liverpool showed interest in the 30-year-old as early as June during the ongoing transfer window.
Interestingly, although Transfermarkt values Endo at a mere €7 million, it's worth noting that his current contract with Stuttgart would have expired next summer. Therefore, Liverpool might have been able to negotiate a lower price, but Stuttgart cashed in given Liverpool's urgency to bolster their defensive midfield.
Having joined Stuttgart from Belgian side Saint-Trond for a reasonable €1.7 million in July 2020, Endo has since played 133 games for the German club, netting 15 goals and assisting on 12 others. Prior to moving to Stuttgart, Endo made a name for himself in both Japan and Europe.
Unfortunately, Liverpool's earlier attempts to bolster their defensive midfield through players like Ecuador's Moises Caicedo of Brighton and Belgian Romeo Lavia from Southampton proved futile. Both opted to join Chelsea instead, leaving Liverpool to seek alternatives.
For context, the following graph provides a glimpse into Wataru Endo's impressive transfer history:
🔹 August 2023: Joined Liverpool from Stuttgart for €19M - €20M🔹 July 2020: Moved permanently to Stuttgart after a loan spell, with Stuttgart paying €1.7M🔹 August 2019 - 2020: Loan to Sint-Truiden (STVV) from Stuttgart🔹 July 2018: Joined Stuttgart from Urawa Red Diamonds in Japan🔹 January 2016: Began his European career with Sint-Truiden, arriving from Shonan Bellmare in Japan
Notably, Endo has proven to be a powerful midfielder since joining the club, exceeding initial skepticism with impressive performances. His transfer history reflects a gradual rise from Japanese clubs to the Premier League. #LiverpoolFC #WataruEndo #TransferNews #FootballTransfers #DefensiveMidfield #PremierLeague #Soccer #FootballTransferMarket #JLeague #JapaneseFootball #StuttgartFC
- Liverpool has secured the services of Wataru Endo, the Japanese national team captain, from VfB Stuttgart, potentially bolstering their defensive midfield.
- Endo, valued at just €7 million by Transfermarkt, has agreed to a three-year deal worth an estimated €19M - €20M after passing his medical assessment.
- With Endo's current contract with Stuttgart set to expire next summer, Liverpool might have negotiated a lower price despite Stuttgart cashing in due to Liverpool's urgency.
- Endo has recorded 133 games, 15 goals, and 12 assists for Stuttgart since joining them from Belgian side Saint-Trond in 2020, after previously making a name for himself in Japan and Europe.
- Liverpool's previous attempts to strengthen their defensive midfield, such as Ecuador's Moises Caicedo and Belgian Romeo Lavia, went to Chelsea, leaving them to seek alternatives like Endo.
