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Liverpool sign Switzerland winger Shaqiri

Liverpool have signed Swiss international Xherdan Shaqiri from Stoke City, the English Premier League giants announced Friday.

Liverpool sign Switzerland winger Shaqiri
Photo: AFP

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 ($17 million, 15 million euros).

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 (Jürgen Klopp),” Shaqiri told Liverpool’s official website.

“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 teammates 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.

The Champions League finalists have also strengthened their midfield with the pre-arranged arrival of Naby Keita from RB Leipzig.

READ ALSO: Kosovo and Albania collect money for fined Swiss players

RACISM

VIDEO: Spain’s La Liga reviews video of boy racially abusing Vinicius

Spain's La Liga on Monday said it was reviewing a video of a child making racist insults towards Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior during the 2-2 draw with Valencia at the weekend.

VIDEO: Spain's La Liga reviews video of boy racially abusing Vinicius

“We’re in the process of studying and analysing the facts from a legal standpoint to see what we can and should do,” La Liga sources said.

In a video published by a journalist for ESPN Brasil, and picked up by Spanish media, a boy sitting in a woman’s lap can be heard calling Vinicius a “monkey”.

The Brazilian scored twice for Madrid as his team recovered from two goals down at Mestalla on Saturday.

Vinicius raised his fist in a “Black Power” salute after the first of his two goals at a ground where he was racially abused last season. Valencia subsequently banned three people from the stadium for life.

The 23-year-old has become a symbol of the fight against discrimination in Spanish football after suffering racist abuse on many occasions, and he was jeered repeatedly by home supporters on Saturday.

Jude Bellingham was sent off after the final whistle against Valencia for protesting after the referee blew the final whistle right before the England midfielder headed home what he thought was the winning goal.

READ ALSO: Football star Vinicius highlights racist behaviour from Spanish fans

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