Wataru Endo Joins Liverpool From Stuttgart

Liverpool have completed the signing of 30-year-old Japanese midfielder, Wataru Endo from German Bundesliga side Stuttgart.

Liverpool paid Stuttgart the sum of 19 million euros to complete the signing of the Japan national team captain.

Wataru Endo is not expected to play against Bournemouth at 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 19, as he is yet to obtain his work permit.

Endo signed a four-year deal with Liverpool which means that he is expected to remain at Anfield until June 30, 2027.

The Japanese captain who was also the captain of Stuttgart can play as a center-back but Liverpool signed him to play as a defensive midfielder.

Wataru Endo is coach Jurgen Klopp’s latest reinforcement after the departure of midfield-minded players like Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Naby Keita, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain earlier this summer.

After completing his move to Liverpool, Endo said, “It feels amazing. It’s always been a dream to play in the Premier League and with one of the biggest clubs in the world. It’s a dream come true for me.

“I think I can help this club defensively and I will have a good organization in the middle.”

Endo who has made 50 appearances for Japan, first joined Stuttgart in 2019 on a season-long loan from Belgian club Sint-Truiden before the deal was made permanent a year later.

“I’m really happy”, Coach Jurgen Klopp said. “Wataru is a really good player. He is very experienced and loves to work extremely hard.”