Liverpool still spending: Left back Milos Kerkez joins from Bournemouth

LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Liverpool signed Hungary left back Milos Kerkez to a long-term contract on Thursday after paying a reported transfer fee of 40 million pounds ($54 million) to Bournemouth.

The Premier League champion’s most expensive addition, Germany midfielder Florian Wirtz, was announced last Friday, and that followed the signing of Netherlands right back Jeremie Frimpong, with both coming from Bayer Leverkusen.

“I’m really happy,” Kerkez said. “It’s a real honour for me, a privilege to come to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world, (the) biggest club in England. I’m just really, really happy and excited.”

Kerkez’s arrival raises questions about 31-year-old Andy Robertson’s future at Anfield. The Scotland left back has been linked to a move to Atletico Madrid.

The 21-year-old Kerkez made 38 Premier League appearances for Bournemouth last season when the Cherries finished ninth with a club-record 56 points in the English top flight. He scored twice and had six assists. He also has 23 appearances for Hungary.

Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes knows Kerkez well, having been Bournemouth’s technical director before moving to Anfield a year ago.

Liverpool opens next season in the curtainraising Community Shield on Aug. 10 at Wembley Stadium against FA Cup champion Crystal Palace.

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