Liverpool sign Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen in club-record deal

Liverpool announced the signing of Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen on 20 June 2025. The German international attacking midfielder joined the Premier League champions in a deal reported at an initial £100 million, with further add-ons. That made it the biggest transfer in Liverpool's history and among the largest ever involving an English club.

Wirtz, then 22, had come through Leverkusen's academy and became one of European football's most admired young players. He was central to the side that won the 2023-24 Bundesliga (German top flight) unbeaten, ending Bayern Munich's long run of titles. Liverpool had followed him for some time and competed with Bayern Munich for his signature before he chose Anfield.

The move was the centrepiece of an ambitious summer rebuild under head coach Arne Slot, who had won the league in his first season. Liverpool hoped Wirtz's creativity and link-up play would sharpen the attack. Expectations were high from the start, which made his early wait for a Premier League goal a frequent talking point in the months that followed.