Done Deal! Liverpool Confirm First January Signing

Reigning European champions Liverpool have announced their first signing ahead of the upcoming January transfer window with the capture of Takumi Minamino from Austrian Bundesliga champions Red Bull Salzburg.

The official confirmation was made by Liverpool on Thursday morning and the player is expected to join his new team on January 1.

Takumi Minamino had his Liverpool medical on Wednesday after the club agreed to meet the £7.25m in his release clause.

The 24-year-old spent five years at Red Bull Salzburg following his move from Cerezo Osaka in his native Japan.

Since joining Red Bull Salzburg from Japanese club Cerezo Osaka, the attacker has scored 64 goals in 199 appearances.

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Takumi Minamino has 11 goals in 22 games for his national team whom he first played for in October 2015.

The Japanese international player has featured 22 times for Red Bull Salzburg this season and he caught the eye during the Champions League clashes with Liverpool who have swiftly moved to secure his signature.

He has nine goals and five assists in 22 matches this season in the colours of Red Bull Salzburg in all competitions namely the Austrian Bundesliga, Austrian Cup and the Champions League.

Minamino scored in the first meeting with Liverpool on Matchday Two in the Champions League, 4-3 loss to the Reds away from home.

Liverpool also won the reverse leg 2-0 on Matchday Six.