Liverpool’s first signing of the summer transfer window is certainly unique, even when it comes to the number on the back of his shirt.
talkSPORT understands that Jeremie Frimpong is set to complete a move from Bayer Leverkusen to Anfield, signing a five-year deal.
The Reds have told the 2023/24 Bundesliga champions that they will trigger Frimpong’s £29.5million release clause after agreeing terms with the flying fullback to replace the departing Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The Dutch defender has been one of Leverkusen’s very best players during their winning era under Xabi Alonso, racking up 38 goals involvements (19 goals, 19 assists) over the past two seasons.
And he’s done it his own way too, which will be the case at Liverpool as he arrives with a rare shirt number.
Frimpong will take his career-long No.30 to Merseyside, a number not seen at the club in over a decade.
The last to wear it was former academy graduate Suso, who broke into the first team alongside Raheem Sterling during Brendan Rodgers’ time as manager.
The five-time Spain international initially shone before departing for Milan and then Sevilla where he won two Europa League titles.
The number has a mixed history at Anfield, with forgettable backup goalkeepers Charles Itandje and Daniele Padelli both wearing it.
However, Boudewijn Zenden and Djimi Traore both did too, and became cult heroes for their roles in Liverpool’s 2005 and 2007 Champions League runs.
Frimpong has a solid chance of outshining them all and making the number his own and it’s one he’s worn throughout his career, also at Celtic where he won a domestic treble in 2020.
Before that the 24-year-old moved to the UK as a child aged just seven, later joining Manchester City’s famed academy.
Born in Amsterdam, the 12-time Netherlands international was also eligible to play for England as well as his mother’s Ghana.
Yet he stayed loyal to his birthplace and what it had given him, a trait Liverpool have already seen.
Frimpong had serious interest from Real Madrid, Manchester City, Barcelona and Manchester United over the past 18 months but it was Liverpool that gave him a renewed sense of belonging.
The Reds told the right back that he was their first choice signing a year ago and a conversation with manager Arne Slot showed the belief and vision which Frimpong prioritises.
In fact, so loyal is the Dutchman that he even turned down offers last summer after a personal talk with Alonso, as respecting the journey he’s been on has characterised his successful trophy-winning career.
One of seven siblings, raised by hardworking parents with limited means from a humble background, family and pathways are of utmost importance, and that sense has been found again at Liverpool.
Frimpong’s career has always been about developing and not taking shortcuts, meaning that Liverpool are about to get an improving player ready to give everything for the club.
