Florian Wirtz has apologised to Liverpool fans after his record move to the club was officially confirmed. The 22-year-old has ended weeks of speculation by signing a new five-year contract at Anfield, for an initial £100million fee. The deal could rise to a British record fee of £116m after add-ons.

After prolonged negotiations, the Reds officially unveiled the attacking midfielder on their club website and social media channels at 7pm on Friday night. Wirtz thanked supporters for their support and encouragement over his move, as well as outlining his ambitions to win silverware with the club. He also said sorry for the time taken to complete his switch.

"I saw it on Instagram and of course, everywhere else, that they (Liverpool fans) wanted me to come," said Wirtz. "So I would say thank you for the support and I'm really looking forward to playing in front of them and achieving big things together.

"So yeah, I'm really happy to come. And also, sorry for the long wait!"

Wirtz clocked up 197 appearances for Bayer Leverkusen, scoring 57 goals and helping the club to a Bundesliga title and DFB-Pokal Cup double in 2023/24. He's now outlined his desire to compete for major trophies at Liverpool, and said he wants success in both England and in Europe.

"I'm not coming to have fun here, I want also to achieve something and give the fans what they deserve," he added. "Of course I want to keep going at this performance. So yeah, that sure gives motivation to achieve more.

"I would like to win everything every year. First of all, we have to do our work, I have to make my work. In the end, we want to be successful. Last season they won the Premier League, so my goal is for sure to win it again and also to go further in the Champions League. I'm really ambitious."

The German international also said he believed joining the club will improve him as an individual player, and praised the fitness levels of the current squad. He continued: "This was also a big point for me (in signing).

"That I will improve my own personal level and physical levels because I think everyone knows that in Liverpool the players are machines – really strong and really physical. But I see this also as an opportunity for me to get better in this point.

"So yeah, I just thought this was the right place for me."