The 24-year-old Brazilian midfielder of Monaco, Fabinho, will leave the French club to join Liverpool, announced the French entity on Monday night on their Twitter account.
"Monaco announces an agreement with Liverpool for the transfer of Fabinho starting on July 1, 2018," announced the Ligue 1 club.
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According to a very close source to the French club, the transfer fee would be around 50 million euros (without bonuses) and the player's contract would be for five years.
The player has been called up four times for the Brazilian national team, but he is not in Tite's World Cup list.
Fabinho played 233 matches with Monaco in five seasons, scoring a total of 31 goals, according to information provided by the French team.
Welcome to #LFC, Fabinho. 🙌https://t.co/Xd7ylCfnqJ pic.twitter.com/nYbV243DY5
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 28, 2018
Fabinho was one of the key pieces of Leonardo Jardim's team that won the French league in the 2016-2017 season and reached the Champions League semi-finals.
Unlike other players who were architects of those successes (such as Kylian Mbappé, Bernardo Silva, or Benjamin Mendy), Fabinho agreed to stay one more year in Monaco.
"The entire organization wishes the best for 'Fabi' in his new Liverpool colors. We will never forget you," added the Monegasque team.
"This is something that I always wanted – this is a giant of a team. The infrastructures of the club look exceptional." 🙌
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 28, 2018
👉 https://t.co/Xd7ylCfnqJ pic.twitter.com/Naj4Il8YhI
Shortly afterward, the English team posted a short video of the Brazilian midfielder dressing in his new uniform on social media with the message "Welcome to Liverpool, Fabinho!"
"I am really happy with this signing. It's something I always wanted. It's a big club. The club's facilities look exceptional," the player said to Liverpool's website.
"When a club of this size comes for you, you don't have to think about it much," he added.
This is the first signing for the club managed by German Jürgen Klopp for the upcoming season, and the announcement comes just two days after the Reds lost the Champions League final against Real Madrid (3-1).
"We just signed a fantastic player," praised the German coach, who also highlighted his personality. "His reputation is that of a key character in the dressing room, with his attitude in training."
The arrival of the Brazilian "will make us even stronger," added Klopp, who emphasized that the player can play as a central midfielder, right winger, or right back. "He is very strong tactically and understands football. He is young but also experienced."