25-year-old became the most expensive player in Premier League history after a sensational saga
Alexander Isak has said he “wants to create history” with Liverpool after he completed his £125m switch from Tyneside to Merseyside.
The Sweden striker has agreed a six-year contract at Anfield and will wear the No 9 shirt. His arrival comes after one of the most sensational transfer sagas in Premier League memory, with weeks of tense negotiations, outcry, blame, and public friction between Isak and Newcastle, and the 25-year-old eventually forcing through a move that makes him the most expensive player in Premier League history.
“I want to create history. I want to win trophies,” said Isak after his unveiling as a Red. “That’s ultimately the biggest motivation for me and I feel like this is the perfect place for me to grow even further and to take my game to the next level and help the team as well.
“I feel like this is the next step for me in my career. I’m super happy that I’ve been given this chance and I’m very motivated to do something well with it.”
The transfer surpasses the £115m Chelsea paid Brighton for Moises Caicedo in 2023. It is also the second time this summer Liverpool have broken their own record, following the £116m signing of Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen in June.
Isak had not featured for Eddie Howe’s team this season and last month issued a public statement accusing the club of breaking promises over their ambitions. The forward made clear he believed leaving was in everyone’s best interests.
Isak joined Newcastle from Real Sociedad in 2022 for £60m and scored 62 goals in 109 appearances, quickly becoming a central figure in Howe’s side. His departure is a major blow for a club trying to establish itself among the league’s elite under new ownership.
Liverpool, meanwhile, added the final touch of their major overhaul under head coach Arne Slot. The club’s summer spending now exceeds £400m, although the exits of Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and others helped to balance the outlay.
Isak said: “It’s been a long journey to get here. But I’m super-happy to be a part of this team, this club and everything it stands for. It’s something I’m proud of and I’m really looking forward to it.
“I’m just happy it’s done and that I can get back to work. I’m looking forward to seeing my teammates and the fans, and getting back out there.”
