Liverpool have officially announced the £40 million signing of Bournemouth’s dynamic left-back Milos Kerkez, with the 21-year-old completing his medical on June 25, 2025, at the AXA Training Centre in Merseyside. The Hungary international has signed a five-year contract, keeping him at Anfield until 2030, as the Reds continue their ambitious squad rebuild under manager Arne Slot. The transfer, confirmed by reliable sources including Fabrizio Romano, marks Liverpool’s third major acquisition of the summer, following Jeremie Frimpong (£29.5m) and Florian Wirtz (£116m) from Bayer Leverkusen.
Kerkez, who joined Bournemouth from AZ Alkmaar for £15.5 million in July 2023, emerged as one of the Premier League’s standout full-backs last season. He started all 38 league matches, contributing two goals and six assists while helping Bournemouth achieve a club-record ninth-place finish with 56 points. His relentless energy, with 476 passes into the final third (10th among Premier League defenders) and 22 successful dribbles, showcased his attacking flair and defensive solidity. Kerkez’s 169 ball recoveries and 34 open-play chances created underline his fit for Slot’s high-pressing, possession-based system, which demands versatile full-backs.
The transfer was facilitated by Liverpool’s sporting director, Richard Hughes, who previously signed Kerkez for Bournemouth during his tenure as their technical director. Hughes leveraged his relationship with the player and club to secure the deal, which includes add-ons potentially pushing the fee to £45 million. Kerkez’s father, Sebastijan, emphasized the family’s trust in Hughes, stating on the *Super Indirektno* podcast, “For us, Liverpool is the only option. If he had said we were going to India, we would have gone to India.” The player’s desire to join Liverpool was evident, with Kerkez liking club-related posts on social media and expressing ambitions to “play at the highest level” in a March interview with The Athletic.
Kerkez’s arrival raises questions about Liverpool’s left-back hierarchy. Andy Robertson, 31, faces speculation about a move to Atlético Madrid as he enters the final year of his contract, while Kostas Tsimikas could seek regular minutes elsewhere. Bournemouth, anticipating Kerkez’s departure, signed Rennes’ Adrien Truffert and Argentina U23 international Julio Soler as replacements. Liverpool’s £40 million investment makes Kerkez their most expensive full-back signing ever and their 12th-most expensive acquisition, trailing only Virgil van Dijk among defenders.
The Reds’ summer spending, now exceeding £200 million, reflects their intent to defend their Premier League title and compete in the Champions League. Fans on X are thrilled, with posts hailing Kerkez as a “long-term heir” to Robertson, though some express concern about the Scot’s potential exit. With Liverpool targeting Crystal Palace’s Marc Guéhi and Newcastle’s Alexander Isak next, Kerkez’s signing signals the start of a new era at Anfield, blending youth and ambition.
