Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp announced their first signing of the January transfer window on Wednesday. Marco Grujic, the Serbian international made his move to the Red of Merseyside official after he signed a 5.1 million transfer that will see him play for Liverpool till 2020.
However, the Serbian mid-fielder will be loaned back to Red Star where he will finish the season. The official announcement of Klopp’s first signing at Liverpool has been treated with a lot of enthusiasm by the fans who are now getting to know about one of the hottest young prospects in world football at the moment.
In the wake of his move, here are 10 things you must know about Marco Grujic:
Born on April 13,1996, the 19 year old Marco Grujic has represented Serbia at every level from Under-16 to Under-21
Grujic made his debut in a 3-0 defeat to Vojvodina in May 2013 when he was just 17 years old. However, he felt that it was an unforgettable moment and was quoted saying “I cannot describe how I felt at that moment’ after the defeat.
He is 6 foot 3 inches tall, taller than every player in the current Liverpool squad.
Marco Grujic was a part of the victorious Serbian side that won the World Cup in New Zealand last summer and made 5 appearances in the tournament.
In 2014, the 19-year old was loaned out to the second tier Serbian side FK Kolubara but under a dual registration that saw him feature for the Red Star also.
Grujic expressed in his first press conference with the club that he is looking forward to working at Anfield and spoke about the unique atmosphere at the British stadiums in the past. Grujic said “I love the local atmosphere in the stadiums, where the audience is closer to the pitch and [how it] transfers energy to the players.”
The Serbian international cemented his place in the Red Star mid-field under Miodrag Bozovic and started playing as a box to box mid-fielder. He is known for his excellent game reading ability and is really good at breaking up play. He also has the ability to get his side on the front foot with determined drives up the field.
At the Red Star, Marco Grujic wore the No. 8 Jersey and is widely tipped off to wear the same legendary number at Anfield.
The 19-year old became the first man to complete a move from the Red Star to Liverpool. Both sides have met just twice in the European Cup in 1972. Bill Shankly led Liverpool side were thrown out of the competition with two 2-1 defeats at home and away to the Red Star.
Grujic comes from an academy that has produced a number of stars over the years. Inter Milan defender Dejan Stankovic, Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic and Manchester City left-back Aleksander Kolarov are all products of the same academy.
Do you think Marco Grujic will fit into the Klopp’s style of play?