Liverpool sign Georginio Wijnaldum from Newcastle

Liverpool have signed attacking midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum from Newcastle on a long-term deal.

The Dutch international will fly out to join the team in the USA for pre-season training and will wear the number five shirt for the Reds, as he did at Newcastle.

The Magpies were relegated to the Championship last season but Wijnaldum made a positive impression nonetheless, scoring 11 goals in 38 appearances.

Capped 30 times by the Netherlands, the 25-year-old arrived in England from PSV Eindhoven last summer, having previously played for Feyenoord.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has been re-shaping his squad this summer and Wijnaldum becomes his seventh new signing, following Loris Karius, Joel Matip, Marko Grujic, Sadio Mane, Ragnar Klavan and Alex Manninger.

Wijnaldum told Liverpool's official website: "I'm really excited because Liverpool is a big club with a great history and it's always a dream to play for as big a club as Liverpool."

Asked about the prospect of working with Klopp, he added: "A great man - from the outside - because I don't know how he works yet and I have to work with him. 

"I always love to watch him, his passion as a trainer, I like how he enjoys the game. He gives something back to the group, so I look forward to working with him."

I think he can be a great player for us. I can't wait to get him on the training pitch and for the fans to see him play in a Liverpool shirt.

Klopp is looking forward to working with Wijnaldum too and said: "I am so happy that we have got him and he can join us now in the USA.

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

"When I talked to him I could tell that he knows we have to work together to get this level out of him.

"He has played a lot for his country already, been captain at a young age in Holland, and also been involved in a tough Premier League season, so this experience gives him a good foundation for the challenge here - which everybody knows is huge!  

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"He can play a few positions for us and players that come through the Dutch system usually have a good tactical understanding and flexibility. That's really important.  

"I can't wait to get him on the training pitch and for the fans to see him play in a Liverpool shirt."