Liverpool new boy Cody Gakpo has revealed which teammate played a key role in helping him decide his next move.
On Boxing Day, it was announced that Liverpool and PSV Eindhoven had agreed a deal for the transfer of Gakpo.
The 23-year-old arrived on Merseyside on Wednesday afternoon to finalise the move. Liverpool then confirmed the signing in the evening, Gakpo will officially become a Red once his work permit has been granted.
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Upon signing for the club, Gakpo revealed that his international teammate and captain, Virgil van Dijk played a key role in convincing him to join Liverpool.
He said to Liverpool's official website: “We spoke a lot over the phone [in] the last days.
“What he told me was that this is the right move for me to make and for me to develop and to become a better player, that the club is a really big and massive club but also like a real family – I think that's also very important for me because I'm a family guy. He said only good things.
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“I’m really looking forward to playing at Anfield. I heard a lot of great stories about the stadium, about the atmosphere. I cannot wait.”
It has been reported that Gakpo was a long-term target for Manchester United, but Liverpool moved fast to seal the deal after they were made aware that United did not have the funds to compete in this window.
Gakpo, who signed a deal until 2028 will wear the number 18 jersey for the Reds, previously worn by the likes of Michael Owen and Dirk Kuyt.
Jurgen Klopp was seen hugging Gakpo in a behind-the-scenes clip, the Liverpool boss also expressed his excitement over the club’s latest acquisition.
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He said: “There is a lot to like about Cody. He is still only 23 years old but he already has a lot of experience.
“Offensively, he is very versatile and on top of this we know he is a smart footballer and also a smart person, so we are really excited to be able to work with him.”
If things run smoothly, Gakpo could be involved in Liverpool’s Premier League clash against Brentford next Monday.
Topics: Liverpool, Football, Cody Gakpo, Virgil Van Dijk
Marcus Chan