Adam Lallana completes £25m move to Liverpool from Southampton
The
26-year-old travelled to Merseyside to discuss personal terms and
undergo a medical on Friday after Southampton accepted Liverpool’s final
£25m offer for their club captain. Bournemouth, where Lallana played
until he was 12, will bank around £6.25m from the midfielder’s transfer
as they were due 25% of any future sell-on fee.
Lallana becomes Liverpool’s third signing of what promises to be a hectic summer, irrespective of Luis Suárez’s future, following the £4.5m capture of former Southampton striker Rickie Lambert and a £9.85m deal for Emre Can.
The Bayer Leverkusen midfielder will formally complete his move to
Anfield later on Tuesday after the transfer window officially opened.
Lallana
spent 14 years at Southampton, rising through to the Premier League
from League One, and admits becoming a full England international and
now moving to Anfield has not sunk in. The attacking midfielder said:
“To think, five or six years ago, I was playing in League One. But it’s a
reality that we’ve climbed up the leagues and done so well. I’d like to
think I’m here on merit, I think I’ve earned it. I just can’t wait to
keep improving, playing with world-class players and a lot of England
team-mates as well, which I’m also looking forward to so much. It’s
going to be a great new chapter in my life.”
Lallana was
identified as a primary target for the Liverpool manager, Brendan
Rodgers, at the end of last season, when his side finished second to
Manchester City in the Premier League. After a protracted bidding
process, held up by the midfielder’s involvement at the World Cup and
Southampton’s change of manager, the Reds boss now has his man.
“We
are delighted to have secured the services of one of the Premier
League’s top talents in signing Adam Lallana,” Rodgers told
liverpoolfc.com. “What is apparent about Adam is that his character is
on a par with his talent.
“He is an exceptional young man and
someone who has a love for the game – and, most importantly, a desire to
progress and improve. Adam is motivated by being the best he can be and
being part of something special. We believe he fits right in with what
we are trying to do at Liverpool.
“We have seen, over the past two
seasons in the Premier League, he has a tactical awareness to adapt to
what is required of him and to put the team above his personal
ambitions. He has leadership skills and personal qualities that make him
a special commodity and I am delighted we have acted decisively to make
sure he is wearing a Liverpool shirt next season.
“Adam is aware
there will be great competition for places at this club and he is hungry
to improve further. We are confident he will fit perfectly with the
culture we have at Liverpool. I’m excited about working with Adam and
helping him to progress even further.”
Rodgers is also
pursuing Benfica’s £25m-rated Lazar Markovic and Lille’s Belgium
international striker Divock Origi as he looks to bolster Liverpool’s
options ahead of their return to the Champions League next season.
source: http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jul/01/adam-lallana-move-southampton-liverpool
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