Roberto Firmino (Photo : Reuters)
Liverpool FC had announced the signing of Brazilian rising star Roberto Firmino from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim on Wednesday. The Seleção's attacking midfielder is set to undergo the legal procedures of securing a work permit and passing the medical examination in England after the ongoing Copa America tournament, ESPN reported.
Valued at £29 million, this transaction was said to be the Reds' second highest player transfer in history, next only to Andy Carroll's £35m signing in January 2011.
Firmino played four and a half seasons with German club Hoffenheim and had participated in its 151 league and club matches, accumulating an impressive record of 47 goals coming off a single season with Brazilian club Figueirense in 2009-2010.
Hoffenheim's Alexander Rosen said that they had never expected to keep Firmino for the long term because of the vast improvement he had shown especially in the last two years.
Meanwhile, the 23-year-old acknowledged his former team and Bundesliga itself by saying that he had greatly improved "physically, technically and tactically" during his stay with the German club, and that "Bundesliga is one of the world's best leagues" where he had to constantly develop his game to survive, as per Liverpool's official website.
Firmino also said that there is more to adjust in his game and he is looking forward to do that in Brendan Rodgers' team. "My own dissatisfaction is my biggest motivation," he said.
Aside from Firmino, Rodgers is also reportedly eyeing strikers Carlos Bacca and Colombia and José Salomón Rondón of Venezuela to further enhance the Premier League club's offense this season.
