Liverpool sign first player of Arne Slot era in £12.5m move

Liverpool have confirmed the signing of Federico Chiesa from Juventus.

The Italian star becomes the Reds' first signing under new manager Arne Slot.

talkSPORT understands the Reds have agreed a £10m deal, including £2.5m in potential add-ons, to sign the striker.

He told Liverpoolfc.com: “I’m very happy to be a Liverpool player. When Richard Hughes called me and said, ‘Do you want to join Liverpool?’ – and the manager called me – I said yes straight away because I know the history of this club, I know what it represents for the fans.

“I’m very happy and can’t wait to get started.”

Liverpool have confirmed that Chiesa has signed a “long-term contract”, believed to be four years.

He becomes their first signing of the summer, less than 48 hours before the end of the transfer window, after the club failed to sign their main target, Martín Zubimendi, from Real Sociedad.

The 26-year-old was a star player for Italy's Euro 2020-winning side and his reduced fee is largely due to a dismal injury record.

Following his exploits at Euro 2020, Chiesa joined Juventus from Fiorentina a year later, having spent two years on loan at the Vecchia Signora.

He has suffered a total of 22 different injuries in recent years, the worst of which was a torn cruciate ligament, which kept him out of action for 45 games over 269 days in the 2021/22 season.

Last season, however, he set a new personal best by scoring nine goals in 33 Serie A appearances.

Federico Chiesa – Professional honours

• UEFA European Championship: 2020

• Third place in the UEFA Nations League (x2): 2020-21, 2022-23

• Italian Cup (x2): 2020–21, 2023–24

Comments In May 2022, he suggested he will have a high approval rating on The Kop after revealing his admiration for Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard.

During a Serie A match between Juventus and Lazio, where Chiesa was sitting in the stands, the player was asked who he would prefer to have in his midfield between Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes.

After careful consideration, Chiesa replied: “Stevie G.”