PING PONG

LIVERPOOL have signed defender Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen, the Premier League champions announced Friday.

No fee or length of contract was disclosed but British media reports said Frimpong had arrived at Anfield on a five-year deal worth £29.5 million (R714m).

News of Frimpong’s signing came just hours after Liverpool confirmed Trent Alexander-Arnold would be joining Real Madrid in time to play in the Club World Cup for £10m (R242m).

Frimpong told the club website: “It went quite easy. Liverpool came and said they had interest, and obviously for me it was a no-brainer.

“For me, it was like, ‘Whatever you guys do, just get this done’.

“Liverpool fans, I’m going to give my all, my energy, my work-rate and hopefully we can win together, we celebrate together, get everything together.

“I’m just excited to be here. Thank you guys for accepting me and I won’t let you guys down and I’ll give you the energy that you guys want.”

Frimpong will have competition at right-back from Northern Ireland defender Conor Bradley, who recently signed a new four-year contract with Liverpool.

Frimpong rose through the youth ranks at Manchester City and went on to join Celtic in September 2019 before a move to Leverkusen in January 2021.

Liverpool are also in talks with Leverkusen over signing Frimpong’s former teammate Florian Wirtz.

Reports earlier on Friday said Liverpool had made an improved £109m (R2.6 billion) bid to sign the Germany midfielder.

Liverpool’s second offer for Wirtz includes add-on clauses that would make him the most expensive signing in the club’s history.

Wirtz has also attracted interest from Bayern Munich and Manchester City, but it is believed he made it clear to Leverkusen that he wants to join Liverpool before next season.

The 22-year-old emerged as one of the most highly-rated young playmakers in Europe after helping Leverkusen win the Bundesliga.