Liverpool Sign Japan Captain Wataru Endo After Missing Out On Moises Caicedo And Romeo Lavia

Liverpool have finally signed a defensive midfielder this summer after landing Wataru Endo from Stuttgart.

Endo has signed a four-year contract with the Reds, who will reportedly pay Stuttgart a transfer fee in the region of €19 million.

Liverpool had been in dire need of reinforcements after James Milner, Jordan Henderson and Fabinho all departed since the end of last season.

Ecuador's Moises Caicedo and Belgium's Romeo Lavia had been identified as top targets but both ended up moving to Chelsea instead of Anfield.

Although he was not Liverpool's first choice, Endo will add plenty of experience to Jurgen Klopp's squad.

The 30-year-old has been capped 50 times at senior international level and is the current captain of Japan.

Liverpool have signed defensive midfielder Wataru Endo from Stuttgart

IMAGO/Sven Simon

Endo had also been Stuttgart's captain.

He made 133 appearances for the Bundesliga side - scoring 15 goals - after joining from Belgian Pro League outfit Sint-Truiden in 2018.

Endo told LiverpoolFC.com on Friday: "I'm very happy right now and I'm so excited to join a big club in Liverpool.

"It feels amazing and this is my dream. 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."

Endo can also play as a center-back but he is expected to be used almost exclusively as a midfielder by Liverpool.

He will wear the no.3 jersey, which was recently vacated by Fabinho.