Takumi Minamino has spoken for the first time since his move to AS Monaco was confirmed.
The Japanese international completed his exit from Liverpool on Tuesday afternoon in a deal that could be worth up to £15.5m. The ECHO understands the Reds will receive £12.9m up front from the Ligue 1 club, with up to a further £2.6m in add-ons.
Having moved to Anfield from Red Bull Salzburg in a £7.25m deal in January 2020, Minamino scored 14 goals in 55 appearances. However, he was never quite a regular at the club and spent the second half of the 2020/21 season on loan at Southampton.
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He scored 10 goals in 24 appearances last season and was the top scorer for the Reds in both the FA Cup and League Cup, which Liverpool won. However, he only made one Premier League start, although he did score in that game, a 2-1 victory at Southampton.
AS Monaco reportedly fought off interest from Leeds United, Southampton, Wolves, Lyon and Atalanta and Minamino was delighted to sign for his new side.
"It is a great joy for me to join AS Monaco,” he told the club’s official website.
“I am happy to be part of this very exciting project, at a club with a great tradition and among the most recognized in Ligue 1. I am looking forward to discovering my new environment and doing everything I can to help the team.”
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