Liverpool have finally landed Belgian teenager Divock Origi, as the Reds’ summer-long pursuit finally paid off.
Origi, 19, has joined Brendan Rodgers’ side from French side Lille for $17 million and will be loaned back to the Ligue 1 outfit for the 2014-15 season. The Belgian forward signed the deal in the U.S. as he met up with the squad during their preseason tour.
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He becomes Liverpool’s sixth new signing of the summer after Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana, Emre Can, Lazar Markovic and Dejan Lovren have all joined the Reds.
The youngster played in all five of Belgium’s games at the World Cup and Origi played the full 90 minutes against the U.S. in Belgium’s 2-1 Round of 16 victory in Brazil. He was replaced by Romelu Lukaku for extra time but during the tournament Origi impressed after scoring a late winner vs. Russia in the group stages and Liverpool have pounced to snap up the pacey forward.
Speaking to Liverpool’s website, Origi shared his delight at signing for last seasons runners up in the Premier League.
With Liverpool’s deal for Loic Remy collapsing at the last minute earlier on this week, it is all starting to make sense now. This deal for Origi seem to have hit the buffers a few weeks ago as Liverpool wanted him to play straight-away but now it seems Rodgers has agreed to Lille’s terms and the Belgian forward will continue to hone his skills in the French top-flight.
His size will offer Liverpool a different option up top when he does arrive at Anfield next season, as the Reds have been keeping tabs on him since he was 14. After coming through the youth setup up at Genk in Belgium, Origi flourished at Lille last season and even jumped ahead of Lukaku to lead Belgium’s line at the World Cup.
It’s safe to say Liverpool’s fans will be keeping one eye on Lille’s results this campaign to see how Origi is developing in France.