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Hugo Ekitike is poised to inject a cheerful atmosphere into Liverpool's locker room, according to his former skipper. The French striker is anticipated to complete his move to the Premier League champions following an agreement to secure the Eintracht Frankfurt talent.
Both clubs have settled on a $93 million (£69m) initial payment plus $13 million (£10m) in potential bonuses, with Ekitike having already finalized personal terms with Arne Slot's squad. The 23 year old delivered his finest season with the German outfit last term, netting 22 times whilst providing 12 assists in all competitions.
Ekitike completed 18 months in Germany during his maiden permanent move beyond French borders. Prior to his Paris Saint-Germain switch in 2023, the forward had launched his professional journey with hometown team Reims.
It was during 2021 that he spent the campaign on loan with Danish Superliga outfit Vejle, arriving at the club in the January window. Despite his brief spell in Denmark lasting merely several months, he made a memorable impression, according to Vejle's then-captain Jacob Schoop.
Chatting to BBC Sport, a beaming Schoop reminisced about the pleasant recollections of Ekitike's time at the club whilst giving the Frenchman's prospective Liverpool colleagues insight into the spirited personality they'll be welcoming. "He was always in a good mood, and he liked to have some fun in the dressing room.
"If there was a song on the speaker he would be dancing. That's not really the Danish culture - most of us were more reserved!
He was a happy boy, and even though he didn't play as much in the beginning, he trained well and had a really good attitude.
"The joy he had for playing was amazing to see. Even during a tough session, he'd still be laughing, finding fun in beating players one-v-one, or putting in that little bit extra."
Whilst he concluded with merely three goals and one assist for Vejle, his ability was evident to witness, according to Schoop.
"There was a game against Sonderjyske that if we won, we avoided relegation. Hugo was unbelievable in that game," he says. "That's the sign of a big game player - to step up and find that bit extra."
Prior to his scheduled medical this week, Ekitike is anticipated to travel to Hong Kong to link up with his Liverpool teammates who arrived in the region on Monday for a 10-day pre-season tour.
The forthcoming signing of Ekitike merely intensifies the conjecture surrounding Darwin Nunez's future.
Nunez is anticipated to leave Anfield this summer following three years at the club.
Despite the probability of the 26 year old departing Merseyside, he has relished a promising beginning to pre-season that commenced with a goal in Liverpool's 3-1 victory over Preston North End earlier this month.
He subsequently delivered a first-half hat-trick in a behind-closed-doors 5-0 friendly triumph against Stoke City on Sunday.
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