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Hugo Ekitike has completed his epic transfer to Liverpool and will make his debut for the Reds on the preseason tour as he flies out to Hong Kong.
On Tuesday, Ekitike arrived in London to complete his move to the Premier League champions. Liverpool agreed a fee of $93 million for the French forward along with another $14 million in add-ons - 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, he could end up being the long-term replacement for the latter as the Uruguayan is linked with an Anfield exit.
Ekitike has successfully completed a medical and agreed personal terms with the Reds, and he is set to fly out to Hong Kong to link up with his new teammates ahead of upcoming friendlies against AC Milan and Yokohama F. Marinos. The French forward is expected to make his debut on tour, although the clash with Milan may come too soon.
After defeating Preston North End 3-1 and Stoke City 5-0 in the club's opening two preseason games, Liverpool faces the Italian giants at Kai Tak Sports Park on Saturday, July 26.
Given Ekitike is going to fly out to East Asia, making his debut for Arne Slot's team against Milan might be too tall an order. Instead, the clash with Yokohama F. Marinos seems far more likely.
The Reds face the Japanese club in the J.League World Challenge on Wednesday, July 30. Ekitike would have enough time to train with his new team, adjust to Slot's methods, and mesh with his teammates before taking to the pitch for the first time.
The Reds have already bolstered their roster through the arrivals of Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez. Meanwhile, a new-look goalkeeping department is now comprised of Giorgi Mamardashvili, Freddie Woodman and Armin Pesci, all of whom have joined Liverpool this summer.
But Ekitike's arrival will add greater depth to the Reds' attacking options, which could be depleted in the final six weeks of the window by the potential exits of Nunez, Luis Diaz, and Federico Chiesa. The striker will provide firepower to Liverpool's frontline, scoring 15 goals and adding eight assists in 31 appearances as Frankfurt finished third in the Bundesliga last season.
Only five players had a better scoring record than Ekitike in the Bundesliga across the 2024-25 season. No player fired more shots on goal than Ekitike and his 117 strikes on target.
"Hugo has developed tremendously in his one and a half years with us and has been a true asset to our team and the entire club both on and off the pitch," Frankfurt sporting director Markus Krosche said.
"We are delighted that he can now take the next step – a step he has earned through his performances with us."
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