Liverpool CONFIRM shock £19m signing of Wataru Endo and hand him unusual shirt number after Caicedo and Lavia snubs

LIVERPOOL have confirmed the signing of midfielder Wataru Endo from Stuttgart for £19million.

The Japan international, 30, has penned a four-year deal with the Reds as Jurgen Klopp attempts to bolster his team in the middle of the park.

It comes after Chelsea beat them to both Moises Caicedo from Brighton and Romeo Lavia from Southampton.

Speaking to Liverpool‘s club website, Endo, who will join subject to a work permit and international clearance, said: “I’m very happy right now and I’m so excited to join a big club in Liverpool.

“It feels amazing and this is my dream. It’s always [been] a dream to play [in the] Premier League and with one of the biggest clubs in the world. It’s a dream come true for me.”

Holding midfielder Endo has racked up 133 appearances for Bundesliga side Stuttgart, contributing 15 goals and 12 assists since joining from Belgian side Sint-Truiden.

He was the captain of Stuttgart – and is also the skipper for Japan where he has earned 50 caps.

Now he joins Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai in Liverpool’s new-look midfield.

He went on to add: “It’s going to be the first time for me that I play at Anfield. I can’t wait to play at Anfield in front of Liverpool fans.

“I play as a No.6 and I’m like a bit more [of a] defensive player. I think I can help this club defensively and I will have good organisation in the middle. I think that’s my job.

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“I am very excited to join this club and I am looking forward to seeing you at Anfield!”

Despite being a midfielder, Endo will wear the No.3 shirt at Liverpool.

It’s an unusual choice, with the No.3 normally going to a defender.

However former midfielder Fabinho, who left earlier this summer, also wore the shirt.

Klopp told : “I’m really happy. Wataru is a really good player.

“I know in this world of football how it goes and stuff like this, but have a look, have a look, because he’s a really good player.

“Experienced player, captain of Stuttgart, captain of Japan, speaks good English, nice fella, family man, machine on the pitch, good footballer on top of that, sensational attitude. So, I’m really happy.

“He’s a good footballer, very experienced and loves to work extremely hard.”

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