Takumi Minamino leaves for Liverpool

Takumi Minamino is leaving FC Red Bull Salzburg and joining Liverpool FC. The 24-year-old Japanese attacker has signed a long-term contract with our opponents in the UEFA Champions League group and the reigning European champions.

199 and out

In winter 2015 Taki first joined Salzburg from Cerezo Osaka. Over five years he made 199 appearances for our club. While he was frequently used as a substitute in his first few years, he scored an impressive 64 goals and provided 44 assists. Crowning his time in Salzburg were his long list of domestic honours - he won five Tipico Bundesliga titles in a row and four out of five Austrian cups. 

The 24-year-old improved his performances even further this year and gained an even better scoring record. His stunning volley in Liverpool provided a fantastic moment to remember, and clearly attracted the attention of the hosts. He will now become the first ever Japanese man to play for Liverpool FC. The Reds are currently top of the Premier League with a ten-point advantage over Leicester. Together with the former Salzburg pair of Sadio Mane and Naby Keita, he is therefore on course to help the club to their first title in 30 years. We wish him all the very best!

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Our sporting director Christoph Freund says on the transfer:

That an FC Red Bull Salzburg player is being signed by probably the best club in world football at the moment shows that we have gained a very good reputation internationally. We are extremely proud of that as a club. We are saying goodbye to an incredible person and great player in Takumi, who we have enjoyed a very successful time with over the past five years with a lot of highlights. We wish him all the very best and lots more success at Liverpool!

Takumi Minamino himself says:

I have won the league title five times with FC Red Bull Salzburg and won the cup four times. Every single honour was special for me, and I will never forget them for as long as I live. I would like to thank everyone for the support, and there will always be a place in my heart for Salzburg. I haven't just developed as a player here, but also as a person. I have learned a lot from my team-mates, from the coaches and from the people here. I will miss all that a lot. Now a new chapter in my life is starting. Liverpool are an absolute top club, and it's a great honour to go there. I will give everything there just as I have at FC Red Bull Salzburg.