There has been a summer transfer window shakeup on the Liverpool FC goalkeeper depth chart. The names below No. 1 Alisson Becker have changed now, with Simon Mignolet now off to Club Brugge for £8 million and free agent Adrian coming in as his replacement.
The Belgian international heads to Brugge on an initial transfer fee worth £6.4 million, with the potential to rise up to £8m if certain performance add-ons are met. Mignolet, who lost to his starting place to Loris Karius, who then lost it to Alisson, ends a six year run at Anfield.
Jürgen Klopp: "We say farewell and good luck with a host of happy memories and we tell him [@SMignolet] the best seats in the house are available to him and his family whenever they want to come back to Anfield in the future.” ??
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 5, 2019
“If you were to ask me to write a list of the most standout professionals I’ve worked with in the game – in a career of well over 30 years – Simon Mignolet would be competing for the number one spot,” Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp told the club’s official website.
“The respect he commands in our dressing room is unrivalled. An outstanding athlete, an outstanding person, and an international-class ‘keeper.
“The truth is I don’t want Simon to leave – why would I? He’s a ‘keeper good enough to start for all the teams in the Premier League.
“But this is a little like the situation we faced with Lucas Leiva a few seasons ago now. Sometimes you have someone whose contribution to the club means you have to consider their welfare also. Simon is such a person.”
In regards to the Adrian deal, the ex West Ham United man moves over on a two year deal, with a club option for a third.
“I think this is the perfect solution for us in this moment, replacing talent and experience like for like,” Klopp opined.
“With Ali and Simon, I felt like we had two No. 1s and in many ways we have repeated that with Adrian.”
“This is important. He is a ‘keeper who knows the Premier League, who has played in pressure situations and has the highest quality.”
Welcome to the Reds, Adrian! ??? #LFC pic.twitter.com/bAc2UNtTKI
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 5, 2019
“They are big gloves to fill because Simon was such an outstanding professional and contributed to the group even when not in the starting XI.
“Everything we know about Adrian tells us he has the personal qualities to go with his clear playing talent to ensure this area of the team is not weakened.”
“We’re all looking forward to working with him.”
Below you’ll find video of Adrian’s first interview as a member of Liverpool:
"I come here to fight for all the competitions. We have many competitions ahead – we’re going to fight for it and try to get them." ?@AdriSanMiguel's first exclusive #LFC interview ?
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 5, 2019
Adrian becomes the third player signed by Liverpool this summer.
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