His RB Leipzig contract expired at midnight and Ibrahima Konate has ‘officially’ become a Liverpool player after his move to the Premier League was announced in May.
Liverpool unveiled the Frenchman as the first signing of the summer on the 28th of May but due to his commitments at the U21 European Championships, he is yet to take photos in the club’s kit.
The Reds have committed to paying a package deal worth as much as €63m (£54.2m), with the 22-year-old set to earn €21.1m (£18.2m) over the course of his five-year deal with the Anfield outfit.
His transfer fee, which was paid in full after his release clause was triggered, is worth around €41.8million (£36m).
The Liverpool ECHO now reports that after his contract with RB Leipzig expired at midnight on Wednesday 30 June 2020, “the France U21 international officially becomes a Reds player today.”
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – MAY 31: Ibrahima Konate of France leads out the France team ahead of the 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship Quarter-finals match between Netherlands and France at Bozsik Stadion on May 31, 2021 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Chris Ricco – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Upon joining the Reds, Konate said: “I’m really happy to be joining such a massive club like Liverpool.
“It’s a really exciting moment for me and my family and I am really looking forward to meeting my new teammates, the staff and getting started on this new chapter.
“I know I will be joining one of the best teams in the world and that gives me a great feeling.”
New RB Leipzig coach Jesse Marsch did his best to convince Konate to stay at the club and arranged talks with the 22-year-old in an 11th attempt to change his mind.
Following a phone call with the latest Red, it became clear that there was nothing to be done as far as getting him to remain with the Bundesliga was concerned and the green light over a move to Merseyside was given.
MONTREAL, QC – MARCH 12: Jesse Marsch head coach of the New York Red Bulls looks on during the MLS game against the Montreal Impact at the Olympic Stadium on March 12, 2016 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Impact defeated the New York Red Bulls 3-0. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
Sources told Anfield Central in May that Marsch is ‘broken-hearted’ at the prospect of missing out on working with Konate and it’s easy to understand why.
RBL coaching staff consider him to be the future best centre-back in the world and at 1.94m (6ft4), he has all the tools to become an incredible Premier League and Champions League star.
This season in the Bundesliga, he had an aerial duel success rate of 76.32% which is better than Harry Maguire’s 75.42%.
