Latest Liverpool transfer news as Bayer Leverkusen give their reaction to Florian Wirtz's move to Anfield
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20:08, 20 Jun 2025
Florian Wirtz is announced as a Liverpool player after signing from Bayer Leverkusen
Florian Wirtz has signed for Liverpool(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Bayer Leverkusen and Florian Wirtz have bid an emotional farewell after Liverpool's record-breaking transfer was confirmed. The midfielder has now officially signed for the Reds, wrapping up a month-long pursuit and a £116m deal at the end of it all.
The Reds have confirmed their latest summer capture - their most expensive of all-time - with utter faith that Wirtz is a huge global talent. He has certainly given evidence of that fact with his performances for Leverkusen since just 17 years old, turning out 197 times with 57 goals and 65 assists the return.
Through this, he was part of the team that won Die Werkself their first-ever Bundesliga title in the 2023/24 season, doing so alongside success in the German Cup while remaining unbeaten domestically for the entirety.
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In Leverkusen's announcement of the deal, CEO Fernando Carro said in tribute to their outgoing player: "Florian Wirtz developed from a very promising talent into a world-class player here with us. We are very proud of the path he has taken at Bayer 04.
"Now we have to let him go. We will miss Florian but part of him will always be connected to Bayer 04.
"His sporting ability and his irrepressible commitment are an example and inspiration to us to show our full ambition to establish Bayer 04 at the top of German football and always strive to achieve the maximum success."
Meanwhile, managing director Simon Rolfes added: "Florian's departure is associated with lots of emotions for the whole club and also for me personally. He came to us as a 16-year-old and he built up close and warm relations with many people at the club over the years.
"Through his attitude, his passion and his unconditional desire to win he not only motivated and inspired his teammates on the pitch but also the staff in the immediate vicinity of the team and throughout the club.
"Florian never played for himself, he always put the success of the team first. On behalf of everybody, I'd like to say a sincere thank you. Florian Wirtz will always be part of Bayer 04."
Liverpool will be glad of such warm appraisals for their new recruit and the Bundesliga outfit will be especially pleased with £116m in hand from a player they snapped up from local rivals FC Koln for only £170k five years ago.
Leverkusen's social media team made plenty of emotional posts around the timing of the transfer's announcement too, with a video worthy of particular mention alongside the caption: "Dear Flo, you'll always be family."
In return, Wirtz has told his now former club: "It's not easy to leave after five and a half great years.
"I've experienced unique things and incredible moments here at Leverkusen. The club always supported me and believed in me including during the difficult time with my injury.
"I would like to say thank you for that and for the great sympathy shown to me by the management, teammates and all the staff on that day. And I'd like to say to the fans of Bayer 04 who got behind me and the team over all those years: It was an honour for me to do my best. And I’m already looking forward to a reunion on the pitch."