Liverpool completes Shaqiri signing for reported £13M
Xherdan Shaqiri will stay in the Premier League next season.
Liverpool announced Friday it has signed the Swiss international from Stoke City for a reported £13-million fee, according to James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo.
😉#XS23 pic.twitter.com/HhnFVBAoJy
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 13, 2018
Shaqiri will wear No. 23 for Jurgen Klopp's side and is expected to provide depth behind Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane on the wings.
In a statement, Shaqiri, who reportedly inked a five-year pact with the club, revealed he was hoping for a move to the Merseysiders.
"I'm very happy to be here. It’s a huge club with big history, big players and a fantastic coach," he said. "So I'm really glad and happy to be here.
"As a player you always want to be on the biggest stage in football. A few years ago I wanted to come too, but it didn't happen. I'm really happy that now I'm finally here. I want to improve myself too, I want to be with the best and I want to win titles. That's what I'm here for."
Shaqiri recorded eight goals and added seven assists in 36 league matches last season for the Potters. It wasn't enough to save them, however, as Stoke City finished second from the bottom and were relegated to the Championship.
Shaqiri recently represented Switzerland at the 2018 World Cup, leading his country to the round of 16 where it fell to Sweden.
The 26-year-old is Liverpool's third big acquisition during the transfer window after the Reds also brought on Naby Keita and Fabinho from RB Leipzig and Monaco, respectively.