Liverpool confirm £12m transfer of Greek left-back Kostas Tsimikas as Jurgen Klopp seals first signing since title win
KOSTAS TSIMIKAS became Liverpool’s first signing as Premier League champions and claimed he’s joined “the biggest club in the world”.
Reds‘ boss Jurgen Klopp revealed he had watched the £11.7million Greece left-back for a “long time” before beating Leicester to land the 24-year-old from Olympiacos.
Despie dethroning Manchester City by 18 points, Liverpool had no specialist senior cover for Andy Robertson, with versatile James Milner the main fill-in choice.
And although trying to displace the outstanding Robertson must be one of the toughest challenges in the Prem, Tsimikas said: “I’m very happy. I’m very proud to be here.
“It’s an honour to be here and I will give my best. For me, [it’s] the biggest club in the world.”
He is a very good footballer with an attitude to win. It fits perfectly with the mood and the desire we have in our dressing room already.
Jurgen Klopp on Kosta Tsimikas
Klopp himself said: “We have watched Kostas for a long time and are really happy that he has joined us.
“It’s the perfect news before we come back together very soon.
“He is a very good footballer with an attitude to win and to compete, and I really like his mentality.
“It fits perfectly with the mood and the desire we have in our dressing room already.
“Kostas knows from personal experience what is required to challenge and succeed domestically and in the Champions League, and he is ambitious for more – just like us.”
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Liverpool reportedly had a £10m bid for Norwich’s Jamal Lewis rejected last week – half the relegated club’s valuation.
And Real Madrid’s Sergio Reguilon, a loan hit for Sevilla, was also said to have been considered.
But with Tsimikas shining against Wolves in Olympiacos’ Europa League exit last Thursday, Klopp opted for what might be the bargain option in recruiting the three-cap, Athens-born ace.