Japanese national soccer team captain Wataru Endo, 30, has vowed to reach the top of the English Premier League (EPL) in a Liverpool shirt.

Liverpool announced the signing of Endo from German Bundesliga side Stuttgart on the club’s official website on Aug. 18. Liverpool did not disclose the details of the contract, but according to British media outlet The Guardian, the transfer fee is around 19 million euros (27.7 billion won) and the contract is for four years.

Endo is Liverpool’s third signing of the summer, following midfielders Alexis Sanchez and Dominik Soboslaj.

Having played for Shonan Belmare, Urawa Reds (Japan) and Belgian side Sint-Tridien, he spent a season at Stuttgart on loan in 2019. He later made the move permanent, scoring 15 goals in 133 appearances over four seasons.

Endo has also been capped by Japan, scoring two goals in 50 appearances. He played four matches at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, helping Japan reach the round of 16. He was named captain of the Japan national team in June.

“I’m very happy right now,” Endo told Liverpool, “I’m excited to join a big club. It feels amazing. It’s always been a dream of mine to play for the biggest club in the Premier League and it’s come true.”

The move to Liverpool was a hectic one for the youngster. “I had to make a decision in 24 hours, so it was very hectic,” Endo laughed, “I said goodbye to my family, flew here, 메이저놀이터 went straight to the medical and here I am doing this interview.”

He said he watched Liverpool play in Japan as a child. “I often watched the Premier League with my dad, and I especially liked Steven Gerrard,” Endo said.

When he received the offer from Liverpool, what was his first thought? “I was very surprised, and I was thinking, ‘Is there still a chance for me to go to a big club?’ I was very excited, and like I said, it was a dream come true,” Endo explained.