Liverpool have announced the signing of Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig in a transfer that signals a real statement of intent from Jurgen Klopp.
Szoboszlai, 22, has penned a five-year contract at Anfield and becomes the Reds’ second arrival of the summer after Alexis Mac Allister made the switch from Brighton. Liverpool will fork out £ 60 million for the Hungarian’s signature, having activated his Leipzig release clause before it expired on June 30.
Speaking after his move was confirmed, Szoboszlai said: “It’s really, really good. I enjoyed the last [few] days and I’m looking forward to knowing everybody better.
“The last three or four days went really long; it was not that easy. But in the end, I’m here, I’m happy and I can’t wait to get started. [A] really historic club, with really good players, a 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.”
The move brings to an end Szoboszlai’s successful two-and-a-half-year spell at Leipzig after moving from Red Bull Salzburg for £17m in December 2020. Szoboszlai, who started his career with Liefering before making the switch to Salzburg, scored 26 goals in 83 matches during his time at the 17-time Austrian Bundesliga champions.
But, even after he joined Leipzig, the Hungary international could not feature until the start of the 2021/22 season due to a long-term injury. Once Szoboszlai returned to full fitness, he became a major asset for Leipzig as they pushed towards the top of the Bundesliga.
Szoboszlai helped Leipzig win the DFB-Pokal in his first full season at the club, netting 10 goals in 45 games and he continued to have a similar impact in his second campaign. Leipzig won the DFB-Pokal for the second year running with Szoboszlai scoring the second in their 2-0 win over Frankfurt in the final.
As for his international career, Szoboszlai has been capped 32 times for Hungary and was named their new captain last year following the resignation of Adam Szalai. His most notable goal for his nation came from the penalty spot against England as Marco Rossi’s side beat the Three Lions 1-0 last June.
He will now join up with Klopp’s side when they return for pre-season next week as the Reds prepare for a gigantic campaign. Liverpool failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in six years last season, having finished fifth in the Premier League.
The Reds have been active in the transfer market so far as they aim to improve, but Mac Allister and Szoboszlai aren’t expected to be the only additions this summer. Khephren Thuram has emerged as another target for midfield and talks with his club Nice were suggested to have been launched.
Whether Liverpool continue to pursue a deal after the signing of Szoboszlai remains to be seen. A center-back could also be on the club’s agenda before the end of the window. Sporting Lisbon’s Goncalo Inacio has been linked with a move over recent days.
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