Liverpool to complete first major summer signing next week after unveiling new sporting director

Jurgen Klopp hopes to make significant additions to his Liverpool squad this summer (Picture: Getty) Liverpool are set to ramp up their summer transfer business after confirming the appointment of Jorg Schmadtke as the club’s new sporting director. The 59-year-old, who left a similar role at Bundesliga side Wolfsburg at the beginning of 2023 after more than four years, will take up his post on June 1 once work permit formalities have been completed. He will replace Julian Ward, who is due to leave the club this summer after more than a decade. Former goalkeeper Schmadtke made more than 300 Bundesliga appearances for Fortuna Dusseldorf, Freiburg, Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Monchengladbach during his playing career before moving into administration. He had spells at Cologne, Hannover and Alemannia Aachen before joining Wolfsburg. Alexis Mac Allister is on the verge of joining Liverpool from Brighton (Picture: Getty) Schmadtke joins a club which, by compatriot Klopp’s admission, endured ‘a bad season’, finishing fifth in the Premier League and missing out on Champions League football next term as a result. Fenway Sports Group president Mike Gordon told the club’s website: ‘Firstly, I would like to welcome Jorg to Liverpool Football Club in the knowledge that he will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience into a role in which such qualities can only be beneficial both to him and us. ‘Jorg will work with our football operations department as it continues to provide support for Jurgen Klopp, in keeping with our ongoing endeavour to keep growing and developing the club in all areas. ‘At the same time as we welcome Jorg, we must also bid a fond farewell to Julian Ward, who has served us with unstinting diligence, fortitude and energy in a number of roles, the most recent one being sporting director. More: Trending Arsenal 'shocked' by William Saliba's contract demands and could be forced to sell Sergio Aguero names the two teams that will challenge Man City next season Manchester United make final decision on Marcel Sabitzer transfer ‘We wish Julian and his young family the very best for the future and thank him for everything he has done for Liverpool FC during the past 11 years.’ With Schmadtke now installed in his role, Liverpool expect to conclude their first major signing of the summer window next week with Alexis Mac Allister ready to join from Brighton. The Reds, according to Fabrizio Romano, will pay the Argentina World Cup winner’s release clause in full and are close to striking a full agreement on personal terms with the player. Liverpool in talks to sign Bundesliga midfielder for €40-45m Liverpool chief hails new sporting director Jorg Schmadtke’s ‘wealth of knowledge and experience’ For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
https://metro.co.uk/2023/05/31/liverpool-to-complete-first-summer-signing-next-week-18875243/