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LONDON. — Liverpool have signed Switzerland international Xherdan Shaqiri from Stoke City, the English Premier League soccer giants announced on Friday. The Reds said he had signed “a long-term contract”, with British media reports saying Shaqiri had arrived at Anfield in a five-year deal for £13 million.

The 26-year-old winger’s move follows Stoke’s relegation from the Premier League.
“I’m very happy to be here. It’s a huge club with big history, big players and a fantastic coach (Jurgen Klopp),” Shaqiri told liverpoolfc.com.

“As a player you always want to be on the biggest stage in football. A few years ago I wanted to come too, but it didn’t happen. I’m really happy that now I’m finally here.

“I want to improve myself too, I want to be with the best and I want to win titles. That’s what I’m here for.”
Shaqiri, who was born in Kosovo but moved to Switzerland as a child, has just returned from the World Cup in Russia where his country were eliminated in the last 16 by Sweden.

He sparked controversy by celebrating his goal in the 2-1 win over Serbia in the group stage by making a gesture with his hands to represent the two-headed eagle of the Albanian flag with which many Kosovars identify.

FIFA, which bans political symbols at stadiums, fined him and team-mates Granit Xhaka and Stephan Lichtsteiner for the goal celebration but they all avoided two-match suspensions.

Shaqiri is Liverpool’s second major acquisition of the summer after Brazilian midfielder Fabinho joined from Monaco. — AFP