Cody Hakpo (23, Eindhoven) of the Netherlands, who scored three goals in the group stage of the Qatar World Cup, will wear the English Professional Football Premier League (EPL) Liverpool kit.
Dutch Eredivisie (1st Division) professional football Eindhoven announced on the 27th (Korean time) that “Liverpool and Hakpo have agreed on the transfer” and that “he will be leaving for England to undergo the necessary procedures before completing the transfer”.
Details such as the contract fee were not disclosed, but Eindhoven general manager Marcel Brands said: “It’s a record transfer for our club.” Britain’s BBC has forecast that Hakpo’s transfer fee will reach 40-50 million euros (about 54.3-67.8 billion won).
Forward Hakpo, who has played for the first team since 2018 after moving up to the Eindhoven youth academy, featured as a winger in the group stage of the Qatar World Cup and was the solo scorer of three of the Netherlands’ five goals , ascending to the ranks of stars. Hakpo is the first player in Dutch football history to score in all three group stage matches. At 187cm tall, his speed and excellent dribbling ability are his forte. Starting with his World Cup debut goal in Senegal’s first match (2-0 win) and third match (Qatar), he proved that his whole body, including his head and feet, was a weapon.
Hakpo has scored 9 goals and 12 assists in 14 Dutch Eredivisie matches this season and has also played an active role in the UEFA Europa League with 3 goals and 2 assists. After drawing 2-2 in the quarter-finals, the Netherlands lost on penalties to champions Argentina and were eliminated. Initially, EPL Manchester United showed active interest in signing Hakpo but the final destination was set at Liverpool. Liverpool, sixth in the EPL (25 points), appear to have made a lot of effort to quickly recruit Hakpo as injuries to Luis Dias and Diogo Jota have left a vacuum in their power.
As a result, Hakpo will also be eating with Virgil Pandayk (31), a senior international defender and former UEFA Player of the Year in 2019. According to the BBC, Pandayk said during the World Cup: “Hakpo is a very good player. Lots of potential. I am very happy to be with Hakpo (in the national team).”
Reporter Choi Byeong-gyu
