Liverpool has confirmed the arrival of Federico Chiesa from Juventus. The 26-year-old, who had a year left on his deal, joins for an initial reported fee of $13m (£10m/€12m).
Chiesa will take the number 14 jersey for Liverpool. It was last occupied by Jordan Henderson , former captain at Anfield . The Italian's wages have not been publicly disclosed, but it's thought he will make around $152k (£115k/€137k) per week with the Reds.
Following the confirmed signing of Giorgi Mamardashvili, Chiesa becomes the first summer arrival at Liverpool. He will offer Arne Slot more depth across the front line, providing a natural deputy for Mohamed Salah on the right wing.
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Chiesa has spoken to the club site following his transfer. He declared the move a dream come true:
"It's a dream that has become a reality," he said. "When I hear the word Liverpool, I think of trophies, of victories and the great nights in the Champions League at Anfield.
"It is really emotional for me. I can't wait to hear the anthem and all the 60,000 Liverpool fans singing You'll Never Walk Alone. I will give everything for this shirt, for the fans. Forza Liverpool."
Chiesa also revealed that he received calls from both Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes before making the move:
“I'm so happy to be a Liverpool player. When Richard Hughes called me and he said, "Do you want to join Liverpool?" – and the coach called me – I said yes immediately because I know the history of this club, I know what it represents to the fans. So, I'm so happy and I can't wait to get started.”
The forward also explained the choice behind the number 14. He credits "destiny" for his pick, as well as some familiarity from the Italian national team.
“Yeah, it has actually [got some special significance]," Chiesa revealed.
“It’s the number I’ve been wearing with the national team but it was an easy pick because Liverpool sent me a video and at the end of this video — which was showing my career [and] the goals I scored with Fiorentina and Juventus — it was me with the No.14 shirt on so I said, "Ah, it was destined to be!", so I chose the No.14.”
Liverpool.com says: A signing is in the building! This is not a drill.
And it's an exciting transfer, too. Chiesa comes with a bit of risk, not least given his injury history, but he is a star name who can be really special on his day.
Hughes has certainly come good on his promise to be opportunistic, with this deal almost too good to turn down. There's huge upside, and it will be exciting to see what Slot makes of his new forward.
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