Liverpool confirmed the signing of Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig yesterday after paying the Hungarian’s €70mn (£60mn, $76mn) release clause.The 22-year-old will further bolster the Reds midfield options after the arrival of Argentine World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister last month.
Szoboszlai scored 20 goals and provided 22 assists in 91 games for Leipzig as he helped them to win the German Cup and finish in the top four of the Bundesliga for the past two seasons. “The last three or four days went really long; it was not that easy. But at the end I’m here, I’m happy and I can’t wait to get started,” Szoboszlai told Liverpool’s website.
“A really historic club, really good players, good coach, everything is good. For me it was perfect to make the next step in a club like this. The fans, the stadium, everything is really good.”
Liverpool were in the market to refresh their midfield after a fifth-place finish in the Premier League last season saw them miss out on Champions League qualification for the first time in seven years. Midfielders James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita all left the club when their contracts expired at the end of last season.
Cleverley announces retirement
Former Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley announced his retirement from soccer at the age of 33, citing lingering injuries.
The ex-England international most recently captained Watford, joining the Championship side on loan from United during the 2009-10 season.
Cleverley made 181 appearances, scored 19 times and registered 15 assists during his six-and-a-half-year spell at Watford after joining from Everton on loan for the second time and making the move permanent in 2017. His last season was plagued by injuries as he missed 29 games for Watford, who finished 11th in the Championship standings.
Cleverley underwent surgery on an Achilles injury that had kept him out for an extended period at the beginning of last season before sustaining a thigh injury in February.
“Today, I am announcing my retirement from football as a player. The last year has been immensely difficult trying to overcome the obstacles of injury,” the former Premier League winner said in a statement on Saturday.
“Unfortunately, my body has failed me and just hasn’t got the capacity to perform anymore.”
Cleverley, an academy graduate of United, played 79 games for the Old Trafford outfit before joining Leicester City, Watford, Wigan Athletic, Aston Villa and Everton on loan.
“Special mentions must go to Manchester United... The people and the club that gave me the foundations as a player and person and also the club that made my dreams come true...
“To all those involved with Watford Football Club. I have the privilege of calling this club home... The love you have shown me as a young loanee up to the moment I retire as a grown man I can never repay.”
Watford said, “Some exciting news will soon be announced jointly by the club and Tom.”