Federico Chiesa says he is “really emotional” to be joining Liverpool after his £12.5million switch from Juventus was confirmed on Thursday afternoon.
The 26-year-old winger seals an initial £10m move that could rise to £12.5m after add-ons, which are hinged on the club winning the Premier League and Champions League. He signs a four-year deal to move to Anfield.
The Italy international revealed: “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.”
In a video released on Liverpool‘s social media accounts, he added: “It’s a dream that has become reality. When I heard the word Liverpool I think of trophies, of victories, and the great nights in the Champions League at Anfield.
“It’s really emotional for me. I can’t wait to hear the anthem and to hear all the 60,000 Liverpool fans singing You’ll Never Walk Alone. I will give everything for this shirt and for the fans. Forza Liverpool.”
The forward has been admired by the Reds for many years and was valued at £80m only three years ago after Euro 2020, which took place in 2021, which Italy won at Wembley against England on penalties.
He has since endured injury struggles but Arne Slot will be hopeful his second signing, after goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, can put his fitness troubles to one side to rediscover his brilliant form of old.
Chiesa will wear the No.14 shirt, previously worn by former captain Jordan Henderson, on Merseyside. It is the same number he wears for the Italian national team.
He said: “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.”
The former Juve and Fiorentina forward can play in multiple positions, out wide or as a No.10, and Liverpool believe they have snared a bargain after he rejected overtures from Saudi Arabia to join them.
Chiesa will earn around £80,000 a week, the same salary he was paid at Juve. Explaining his decision to join Slot’s squad, he added: “It was an easy decision to make for a lot of reasons. I felt immediately the people I talked to put a lot of faith and trust in me.
“That is what I wanted. It’s really great to be here. It’s a dream come true to play for Liverpool and to play in the Premier League which is the best league in the world.
“I’m here to help win trophies which is the most important thing. That’s what the Liverpool fans want the most.
“As soon as I entered the training ground I looked up and saw all the trophies. I want some of them in the near future! To see the Champions League and the Premier League over there was just amazing.”
Content Source: www.express.co.uk