Since making his debut in professional soccer, Florian Wirtz dreamed of emulating Lionel Messi and becoming one of the sport’s iconic figures. Over the years, he made a name for himself in Europe and recently reached a major career milestone by becoming one of the most expensive transfers in football history.
The 22-year-old German star, formerly of Bayer Leverkusen, has officially been sold to Liverpool for an astonishing €150 million. This record-breaking fee makes him the most expensive signing in Premier League history, surpassing the €121 million Chelsea paid for Enzo Fernández.
Wirtz now ranks third on the all-time list of most expensive soccer transfers, behind only Kylian Mbappé, who joined Paris Saint-Germain from Monaco for €180 million, and Neymar, who made headlines with his €222 million move from Barcelona to PSG.
A lifelong admirer of Lionel Messi, Wirtz had several standout seasons with Bayer Leverkusen, where he emerged as one of the top talents in European football. He formed a strong partnership with Exequiel Palacios, a fellow midfielder who won the 2022 World Cup with Argentina. Now at Liverpool, Wirtz will team up with another World Cup champion: Alexis Mac Allister.
Over his time in the Bundesliga, Wirtz recorded 57 goals and 62 assists, statistics that caught the eye of Liverpool’s recruitment team and ultimately convinced the club to invest heavily in securing his services.
Top 10 most expensive transfers in soccer history
- Neymar (Barcelona → PSG): €222 million
- Kylian Mbappé (Monaco → PSG): €180 million
- Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen → Liverpool): €150 million
- Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool → Barcelona): €135 million
- Ousmane Dembélé (Borussia Dortmund → Barcelona): €135 million
- João Félix (Benfica → Atlético Madrid): €127.2 million
- Enzo Fernández (Benfica → Chelsea): €121 million
- Eden Hazard (Chelsea → Real Madrid): €120.8 million
- Antoine Griezmann (Atlético Madrid → Barcelona): €120 million
- Jack Grealish (Aston Villa → Manchester City): €117.5 million
Wirtz’s transfer is not only a massive statement by Liverpool but also a defining moment in the young midfielder’s career, setting high expectations for his impact at Anfield.
