Liverpool completes signing of Emre Can

Liverpool have completed the signing of midfielder Emre Can from Bayer Leverkusen.

Brendan Rodgers had been pursuing the signature of the German Under-21 international for some time, but the deal was complicated by buy-back and release clauses which Can’s former club Bayern Munich had included when they sold him to Leverkusen last year.

A deal in principle was agreed last month, but it took some time for the relevant paperwork to be completed. That has now been finalised, making Can the club’s third signing of the summer following the capture of Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana.

“I am proud to be a part of the family and I am looking forward to playing here. I will give it my best,” Can told the club’s website.

“LFC is a great club and the fans are amongst the best in the world. I am looking forward to the first game and can’t wait to step on the pitch for the first time at Anfield.”

Can made 29 Bundesliga appearances last season, scoring three goals for Leverkusen, and Rodgers is delighted to have secured his signature.

“Emre is an exciting young talent and I’m delighted he’s chosen Liverpool for the next phase of his development and growth as a player,” Rodgers told Liverpoolfc.com.

“He has recognised that we are a club that improves and nurtures exciting, ambitious players and I’m looking forward to seeing him take those next steps forward for us.”