Liverpool complete club-record £85m transfer for Benfica forward Darwin Nunez
Soccer Football - Champions League - Quarter Final - Second Leg - Liverpool v Benfica - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - April 13, 2022 Benfica's Darwin Nunez celebrates scoring their fourth goal before it is disallowed REUTERS/Phil Noble
Darwin Nunez has joined Liverpool from Portuguese giants Benfica for a club-record £85m; the club announced the signing yesterday evening in a string of promotional videos and interviews.
Darwin will wear the number 27 shirt for the Reds, the now-iconic number left behind by the departing Divock Origi; the deal is still subject to international clearance and a work permit.
The forward had a stand-out season for Benfica last year; scoring 34 times in all competitions for the club, including against Bayern Munich, Barcelona and twice against Liverpool.
Liverpool will pay an initial £64m for the 22-year-old, however, this is a fee that will rise to £85m should the Urguyuan win trophies and meet the set criteria in his agreement.
Official, here we go now confirmed! Liverpool announce Darwin Núñez as new signing on a permanent deal from Benfica. 🚨🇺🇾 #LFC
Darwin signs until June 2028 on a €75m deal plus add-ons to €100m potential package.
🎥🔴 @LFCpic.twitter.com/PBNZLvtbrT
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 14, 2022
“I’m really happy and delighted to be here at Liverpool. It’s a massive club,” Nunez told Liverpool’s club website. “It’s a pleasure to be here in Liverpool and I’m very happy to be a part of this great club.”
“That’s one of the reasons why I came here to Liverpool – to win trophies and titles. I want to win a lot of trophies at Liverpool.”
Manchester United and Newcastle United were both touted to sign the 22-year-old this summer, however, the striker chose Anfield and the chance to play under Jurgen Klopp.
Nunez’s arrival on Merseyside will undoubtedly accelerate Sadio Mane’s exit from the club, with Bayern Munich the favourites to land the Senegalese striker’s signature.