Football: Liverpool seal big-money deal for Dutch forward Wijnaldum

Austria's Giorginio Wijnaldum celebrates after scoring the lead during the Euro 2016 friendly football match against Netherlands in Vienna, on June 4, 2016. PHOTO: AFP

(REUTERS) - Netherlands forward Giorginio Wijnaldum has joined Liverpool from relegated Newcastle United, the English Premier League club said on Friday (July 22).

No transfer fee was disclosed but media reports put it at £25 million (S$44.5 million).

Wijnaldum, a member of the Dutch squad who reached the 2014 World Cup semi-finals in Brazil, is the seventh signing made by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp for the new season that starts in August.

"It's always a dream to play for as big a club as Liverpool," the 25-year-old told www.liverpoolfc.com.

Wijnaldum made 38 Premier League appearances and scored 11 goals for Newcastle last season after joining from PSV Eindhoven.

He will link up with Klopp's squad on their pre-season tour of the United States.

"I think he can be a great player for us," Klopp said.

"He has already shown some really good moments in his career but the most exciting and important thing for me and my staff is that there is still so much extra to come from him."

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.