After weeks of wrangling, Liverpool have completed the signing of Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain.
The French forward put pen to paper on a long-term contract after passing a medical at the AXA training centre and putting pen to paper on a new contract.
He will wear the No.29 shirt, after choosing the number as a tribute to Alex Hunter, the fictional character from the video game The Journey in EA Sports’ FIFA, promising himself he would wear it professionally.
“It’s a great pride to be able to play for Liverpool. I’m very happy,” he said after signing his new five-year contract.
“It took a long time but I’m really happy today to be able to play for Liverpool and all I want is to be on the pitch and be able to play.
“I hope to achieve very big things. First of all, winning the Premier League – it’s one of my biggest dreams in my life.
“It is to do that and to stay in this team in the long term – that’s why I signed a long contract – and I hope I can do it.”
What Barcola transfer means for Liverpool fans
Barcola arrives at a time when the club are in need of a performance boost. Two games into the new Premier League season Andoni Iraola’s side haven’t exactly set the world alight, as many fans had hoped after a dismal season last year.
Two draws with Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest respectively have left many questioning the strength of the squad ahead of the transfer window closing on Tuesday.
Barcola had been rumoured to be on his way since before the World Cup started, but PSG’s ridiculous £140m early valuation made negotiations drag on far longer than Liverpool had wanted.
However, we stood firm and after finally agreeing a package worth up to £123m including add-ons, the deal was finally done and Bradley put pen to paper on a five-year deal with the Reds.
He replaces Mo Salah on the right wing, after the Egyptian King’s departure for Trabzonspor, and gives Liverpool much-needed attacking power.
Barcola’s signing will now almost certainly mean the departure of Cody Gakpo to Manchester City – a move expected on transfer deadline day, but one which shouldn’t have any hiccups.
Welcome to Anfield, Bradley Barcola!
