Swedish forward, Alexander Isak has joined Liverpool from Newcastle United for a British record £125m transfer fee.
Isak had spent the last six weeks in a stand-off with Newcastle amidst immense interest from Liverpool who saw a £110m bid rejected in early August, which ultimately prom Apted the striker to skip the PFA Awards and instead iterated on Instagram that “promises are broken” at the club.
Newcastle rebuked that accusation but after further discussion with both player and Liverpool, they accepted an improved £125m bid, which breaks the previous £115m British transfer record between English clubs paid by Chelsea to Brighton for Moises Caicedo in 2023.
Isak has signed a six-year contract at Liverpool until June 2031 in a move which has seen Liverpool twice break the overall British transfer record this summer, after they signed Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for £116.5m.
In his first interview with liverpoolfc.com, Isak felt “amazing” after what he described as “a long journey” in a veiled dig to Newcastle but is relieved to have completed his dream move.
“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.”
Isak proceeded to direct a further veiled insult to the Magpies as he spoke of Liverpool’s “history” and current project under Arne Slot.
“It’s a mixture of what the club is building, but what they’re building on top of what the club already is. The history of the club,” added Isak on why Anfield is the right stadium to further his career.
“Me getting the chance to be a part of this, I want to create history. I want to win trophies.
“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.”
Newcastle in-turn issued a brief statement confirming Isak’s move.
“Newcastle United can announce the sale of striker Alexander Isak to Liverpool for a significant British record transfer fee.
“The Sweden international joined the Magpies from Real Sociedad in 2022 and made 109 appearances in all competitions.”
Isak began his career at Sweden’s AIK where he came through their youth academy to score 13 goals in 29 senior appearances in 2016, which earned him a move to Borussia Dortmund but he struggled to settle with one goal in 13 appearances as they won 2016-17 DFB-Pokal.
A loan to Netherlands’ Willem II followed which saw Isak rediscover his spark with 14 goals in 18 appearances which saw him secure a move to Spain’s Real Sociedad, where he helped them to 2019-20 Copa del Rey in the first of four seasons at the club,
Across his time at Sociedad, Isak netted 44 goals in 132 appearances and scored one goal in two appearances at start of 2022-23 season, before he made the move to Newcastle which saw the Magpies go on to win the Carabao Cup last season to end their 70-year domestic title drought as he netted the winner.
During his time at Newcastle, Isak helped the Magpies twice achieve UEFA Champions League qualification and has left with 62 goals and 30 assists across 109 appearances in all competitions.
Isak represents Sweden in international football and had came through the youth ranks to break through into the senior squad in January 2017 as a substitute in a 2-1 friendly loss against Ivory Coast.
He since has gone on to score 16 goals in 52 international appearances.
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