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Hugo Ekitike has spoken for the first time as a Liverpool player and said this is the “right moment” in his career to make a step up.
On Tuesday, the French striker flew into London to complete his move to the Premier League champions. Liverpool agreed a fee of $93 million (£69M) for Ekitike along with another $14M (£10M) in add-ons, which are subject to the club and player reaching certain targets, set to come on top of that.
The mega fee makes Ekitike the club's third most-expensive signing of all-time, behind Florian Wirtz and Darwin Nunez. Having signed a six-year deal. Clearly eager to join the club, Ekitike jumped immediately on a plane after signing his contract and could play some part in Saturday’s friendly against AC Milan.
“I feel very proud,” the striker told Liverpool’s in-house media team, speaking for the first time since his transfer was confirmed. “Obviously, it’s a big, big club. I’m just excited, I’m a bit like a kid.
“I’ve been dreaming to come and play in the Premier League. And to play for Liverpool is a big, big good feeling for me. I just can’t wait to start to play games and to win trophies.
Asked why he felt Liverpool was the right club for him, Ekitike replied: “I think that was the right moment.
“I came to the Bundesliga hungry, I wanted to show that I’m a good player and I can make the difference on the pitch. I think I did well last season.
“Now, I feel ready to make a bigger step and to play on the highest level, to improve myself, to see what I can do. That’s why I think it’s the right timing for me and the perfect moment to come here.”
On the challenge of batting for the Premier League title again next season, the former Paris Saint-Germain forward added: “Obviously, Liverpool are already on the top, but we have still things to reach.
“That’s why we want to be the best and need to improve every season to go and reach the success.
“It’s going to be a difficult season and a long season, but we have the quality to reach everything I think.”
During his time in Frankfurt, Ekitike netted 26 goals in 64 appearances and was named in the Bundesliga Team of the Season for 2024-25, alongside Wirtz.
The France U21 international, who began his professional journey at Stade de Reims, made 33 appearances for PSG and took home a Ligue 1 winner’s medal.
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