Liverpool confirms Minamino signing ahead of January transfer window

Red Bull Salzburg's winger Takumi Minamino has agreed to join Premier League leader Liverpool from January 1, the club has announced.

Takumi Minamino (R) in action against Liverpool during the Champions League group stages.

Liverpool has completed the signing of Red Bull Salzburg winger Takumi Minamino for a reported £7.25 million fee. The Japan international will link up with the Premier League leader when the transfer window opens on January 1.

Minamino, 24, passed a medical and finalised personal terms on Wednesday and will become the club's first mid-season arrival since Virgil van Dijk joined from Southampton two years ago.

Reports of the Reds' interest gathered pace after Minamino shone for Salzburg in a Champions League loss to Liverpool this month.

The Cerezo Osaka product scored at Anfield in its first Group E encounter in October and said he was thrilled to be moving to the European champion.

"It has been a dream, my dream to become a Liverpool player. And I'm so excited that the moment has come true," Minamino told his new club's website.

"To play in the Premier League was one of my targets. I think this is the top-class league in the world. I was thinking if my career as a footballer progressed smoothly, someday I would be able to play in the Premier League.