Japan national soccer team captain Wataru Endo, 30, has signed for Liverpool.메이저사이트
Liverpool announced the signing of Endo from German Bundesliga side Stuttgart on the club’s website on Aug. 18.
The Reds reportedly spent a transfer fee of 18 million euros ($26.2 billion) for Endo, who is the club’s third signing of the season. Endo has been given a shirt number. He will wear the No. 3 shirt and is expected to anchor Liverpool’s midfield defense.
The Reds have seen a lot of change in midfield this summer, with Jordan Henderson (Al Etihad), James Milner (Brighton & Hove Albion), Naby Keita (Werder Bremen) and Fabinho (Al Ittihad) departing. Alexis Sanchez and Dominik Soboslaj have been brought in to replace them.
Klopp and Wataru Endo ⓒ Liverpool
Endo Wataru embraces Klopp ⓒ Liverpool
Salah and Wataru Endo ⓒ Liverpool
There was still a thirst for defensive midfielders. Moises Caicedo, who had been performing well at Brighton, was targeted but lost out to Chelsea. Romero Rabia (Southampton), who was thought to be their Plan B, also lost out to Chelsea again.
Desperate, Liverpool turned to Endo. After stints with Shonan Belmare and Urawa Reds in the Japanese J-League, Endo made his European debut in 2018 with Belgian side Sint-Truiden. He immediately impressed and was loaned to Stuttgart the following year, before being granted a full transfer a year later.
Stuttgart had a lot of faith in him. From 2021 until last season, he captained Stuttgart despite being a Japanese player. Endo’s leadership skills have earned him the captain’s armband for the Japanese national team as well.
Wataru Endo as captain of Stuttgart
Wataru Endo at Stuttgart
Endo Wataru
He switched to the English Premier League after being recruited by Liverpool. He surprised by joining a big club in his 30s. The 12th Japanese player to play in the Premier League, Endo surpassed Shinji Okazaki, who came to England at 29, to become the oldest Japanese player to play in the Premier League.
Liverpool think highly of Endo. He wasn’t their first choice, but they’ve seen what he can do. Jürgen Klopp said of Endo: “He’s very experienced and he was captain of the Japanese national team. He’s a very good player and we’re very happy to have him.” He also praised his fluency in English and his attitude towards soccer.
Wataru Endo ⓒ Liverpool
Wataru Endo ⓒ Liverpool
Wataru Endo ⓒ Liverpool
Wataru Endo ⓒ Liverpool
Public opinion is divided on the signing of Endo. Some are concerned about his age, as he is in his 30s. Klopp continued his praise by saying that “Endo is a late bloomer”. “You know we don’t sign players in this age group,” he said, defending the need to sign Endo.
Expectations are high. “We didn’t want to lose Endo from Stuttgart, he’s so loved and respected,” Klopp said, “He was always on our list. He’s definitely the right player for us and I think he can help us straight away,” he said, hinting at an immediate impact.
On his arrival at Liverpool, Endo said: “It’s amazing. It’s always been a dream of mine to play in the Premier League, at a big club. I can’t wait to be in front of the Liverpool fans at Anfield. I’m a defensive-minded midfielder, so I’m going to help Liverpool defensively a lot, and that’s my role.”
Wataru Endo ⓒ Liverpool
Wataru Endo ⓒ Liverpool
Wataru Endo ⓒ Liverpool
Wataru Endo ⓒ Liverpool