Bayer Leverkusen's managing director of sport has penned an emotional letter to Florian Wirtz following his blockbuster move to Liverpool.
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Wirtz swaps Leverkusen for LiverpoolLeverkusen director pens emotional letterHails him as one of the world's best playersFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The 22-year-old joined Liverpool in a £116 million ($156m) deal this week, and following his move, Leverkusen's Simon Rolfes has hailed the German international as one of the best players in the world. He also lauded the character of the attacking midfielder.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT ROLFES SAID
He said, via Fabrizio Romano: "Dear Florian, I don’t want to write this. I would like to tell the world that you will stay at Bayer 04 Leverkusen for the rest of your career. But you decided to leave our club and to open a new chapter in your life. Of course, I totally respect that. We not only lose one of the best players in the world, we lose a special person. When I first met you, it wasn’t just your skills that stood out. Even if what you do with the ball still leaves me speechless. What really impressed me was your mindset. Your will to win. The hunger to score, no matter the scoreline. That constant drive to get better, even in the smallest details. And your environment with your parents always at your side, supporting you while also keeping you grounded.
"You never lost that hunger. If anything, your mindset grew stronger after your ACL injury. We spoke during that tough time, and I could feel your frustration to not being able to have a ball on your feet. But also how determined you were to come back even stronger. That attitude made you a leader. Quiet, focused, driven. More experienced players look up to you. You’re a superstar for quite some time but you’ve stayed the same Flo. Like in that title-deciding match against Bremen. It had to be you with that hat-trick. Even when the fans were already on the pitch, you had to score again.
"You once told me you’d never scored a hat-trick before, and that’s why you went for it. Simple as that. And you surely remember when we were in Marseille and I told you that you could have the shirt number 10. You were very happy and proud, The photo shows us a few minutes later and you’re still glowing out of happiness. It tells a lot about you. I wish you all the best at Liverpool Football Club. I know, you will make your way there and I hope you will win many matches and titles. Maybe not, when we face each other."
"Thank you, Flo, for your time under the cross and for being who you are. And also huge thanks to your family who have been with us so often. To your parents for always being open in all conversations and for being respectful and humble. We known each other for many many years and the trust and bond between us is strong and unusual in the football business. You all will stay part of the Bayer 04 family. Stay tuned, Simon."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Wirtz was linked with Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Manchester City, and more, but ended up signing for Liverpool in a club-record deal. The German star says he wants to win "everything" at the Reds and after Arne Slot's side won the Premier League this season, they could get even better with the youngster in their team.
GettyWHAT NEXT?
Wirtz, who scored 57 goals and added 64 assists in 197 games for Leverkusen, signed for an initial £100m ($134.5m) with £16m ($21.5m) in add-ons. If he achieves those bonuses, he will surpass the British transfer record which is currently held by Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez (£107m/$144m) in 2023.
