Liverpool today confirmed the signing of former PSV and Newcastle United midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum on a five-year deal.
The Dutch international will wear the number 5 jersey after the £25m deal was finalised, and it was very exciting news for one Liverpool hero in particular.
Before Wijnaldum moved to PSV, where he would then move on to the Premier League, he was a hotly tipped youngster at Feyenoord, where Dirk Kuyt is currently still going strong. Kuyt is not only very excited by the prospect of having another Feyenoord academy graduate at Anfield, but revealed that even while the 36 year old was a Liverpool player himself the scouts were talking about Gini Wijnaldum.
Speaking to De Telegraff, Kuyt spoke very highly of the new arrival.
He was watched by the scouts already in his youth days at Feyenoord as a very great talent. When I played for Liverpool, I heard them frequently say that he would be a wonderful asset one day.
He eventually ended up at PSV and Newcastle, before moving to Anfield. He is now at a top club in England and he’ll be at home.
Led by Klopp, Liverpool want to go way up again. I myself have been at the semi-finals in the Europa League and then I noticed that something is growing.
Klopp sees Gini as a nice player. I know him well, he also did well in Brazil. He is not only a good player, but also a player with the lungs of a horse.
If anybody knows about having the lungs of a horse, it's Dirk.
It will be interesting to see how Wijaldum fits into Klopp's side. Adam Lallana was one of the most improved players after the German took over, but Wijnaldum will represent direct competition for that spot unless he is used in a deeper role.
