Florian Wirtz turned down Bayern Munich and Manchester City to join Liverpool
Florian Wirtz has been sent an emotional message following his transfer to Liverpool.
(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Bayer Leverkusen chief Simon Rolfes took to LinkedIn on Friday to pay an emotional tribute to Florian Wirtz. Liverpool continue their summer spending spree with the club-record signing of the Germany international on Friday.
The Premier League champions have paid Leverkusen £100million for the 22-year-old, but that fee could potentially become a British record, as there are £16m of add-ons included. The Reds beat off competition from Manchester City and Bayern Munich to land the Germany star.
And after the transfer was confirmed, Rolfes took to LinkedIn, writing: "Dear Florian, I don't want to write this, I would like to tell the world that you will stay a Bayer 04 Leverkusen for the rest of your career. But you decided to leave our club and to open a new chapter in your life. Of course I totally respect that. We not only lose one of the best players in the world, we lose a special person,” it read.
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"When I first met you, it wasn't just your skills that stood out. Even if what you do with the ball still leaves me speechless. What really impressed me was your mindset. Your will to win. The hunger to score, no matter the scoreline. That constant drive to get better, even in the smallest details. And your environment with your parents always at your side, supporting while also keeping you grounded.
"You never lost that hunger. If anything your mindset grew strnoger after your ACL injury. We spoke during that tough time, and I could feel your frustration to not being able to have a ball on your feet. But also how determined you were to come back even stronger.
"That attitude made you a leader. Quiet, focused, driven. More experienced players look up to you. You're a superstar for quite some time but you've stayed the same Flo. Like in that title-deciding match against Bremen. It has to be you with that hat-trick. Even when the fans were already on the pitch, you had to score again.
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"You once told me you'd never scored a hat-trick before, and that's why you went for it. Simple as that. And you surely remember when we were in Marseille and I told you that you could have the shirt number 10. You were very happy and proud. The phpto on the first slide shows us a few minutes later and you're still glowing out of happiness. It tells a lot about you.
"I wish you all the best at Liverpool FC. I know, you will make your way there and I hope you win many matches and titles. Maybe not when we face each other.
"Thank you Flo. For your time under the cross and being who you are. And also a huge thanks to your family who have been with us so often. To your parents for always being open in all conversation and for being respectful and humble. We know each other for many many years and the trust and bond between us in strong and unusual in the football business. You will always be part of the Bayer 04 family. Yours, Simon.”
Leverkusen shared the letter on their Instagram page, and Wirtz responded with a praying and two red heart emojis.
The move away from the German club brings to an end a four-and-a-half year stint at the club after moving from FC Koln’s youth team in January 2020.