Dominik Szoboszlai signs the contract to join Liverpool at Anfield, Liverpool, July 2, 2023. /CFP
Having missed out on Jude Bellingham due to the high cost involved, Liverpool finally made a splash in the summer transfer window. The English powerhouse have completed the signing of Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig, with the midfielder signing a five-year contract until 2028.
The Hungary captain, who notched 20 goals and 22 assists during his last two seasons in the German Bundesliga, is the second signing of the summer for Liverpool following the arrival of Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton.
After a hugely disappointing season, Liverpool side were under immense pressure to bolster their attacking options and sort out a deal with Leipzig as Szoboszlai's 70 million euros ($76.3 million) release clause expired on Friday.
Dominik Szoboszlai observes the Liverpool shirt bearing his name at Anfield, Liverpool, July 2, 2023. /CFP
Jurgen Klopp's side managed to activated it in time, allowing the club to finalize personal terms with the 22-year-old and seal his much-anticipated move. Szoboszlai, who played an instrumental role in leading Leipzig to the German Cup title last season, has been given the number eight shirt previously worn by Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard.
"The last three or four days went really long, it was not that easy. But at the end I'm here, I'm happy and I can't wait to get started," said a statement from Szoboszlai. "It's a really historic club, really good players, good coach, everything is good. For me it was perfect to make the next step in a club like this. The fans, the stadium, everything is really good."
Klopp had followed Szoboszlai's rapid progress in recent years and is looking to make Szoboszlai the fulcrum of his midfield after the departures of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Roberto Firmino, Naby Keita and James Milner this summer.
Hungary captain Dominik Szoboszlai controls the ball during their clash with Lithuania at Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary, June 20, 2023. /CFP
"We already have a little knowledge of Dominik as an opponent because we had a couple of really tough games against RB Salzburg when he was a player there, and I think everyone who saw those fixtures will have realized that even at that stage he was a really interesting prospect," Klopp told Liverpool's official website.
"I'm pretty sure he was still a teenager at that time and since then he has made some big strides – moving to Leipzig, doing really, really well in the Bundesliga, playing for the Hungary national team and then becoming captain of his national team at an incredibly young age.
"This is a signing for our present and also for our future, and the work that has gone into it could not be more appreciated."
Dominik Szoboszlai kisses his medal after winning the German Cup final match between RB Leipzig and Eintracht Frankfurt at Olympiastadion in Berlin, Germany, June 3, 2023. /CFP
Meanwhile, Chelsea continued their rebuild with the signing of Benfica's 18-year-old star Diego Moreira, who was part of the side which won the 2022 UEFA Youth League. He grabbed two assists in the final, which saw Salzburg thrashed 6-0.
The talented winger is currently representing Portugal at the European Under-21 Championship and has featured against the Netherlands and Belgium. His arrival follows on from the signings of Nicolas Jackson from Villarreal and Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig.
In other news, legendary Arsenal icon Patrick Vieira, who had been out of work since being dismissed by Crystal Palace in March, was appointed head coach of French Ligue 1 club Strasbourg on a three-year contract.
Patrick Vieira acknowledges fans after the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City at Selhurst Park in London, England, March 11, 2023. /CFP
"I am particularly happy to join Strasbourg," said Vieira. "I know the history and the identity of this club, the fervor it arouses, the importance it has for its region, which is a place of football and passion."
Vieira once led another French outfit Nice to a respectable seventh-place finish in his first season in charge but was fired in his second term after a poor run of results.