Jurgen Klopp has revealed Liverpool’s latest signing Wataru Endo is a player he has long been trying to recruit.

The Reds this afternoon confirmed the arrival of the 30-year-old midfielder, who arrives from Stuttgart on a four-year contract for a fee of approximately £16m.

After missing out on Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia to Chelsea, Endo was not the individual supporters were expecting to see on their way to Anfield. For Klopp, however, it seems there is an alternative reality.

Endo may not fit Liverpool’s usual profile of player signed by the club, though Klopp is confident the Japan international will be a success after years of watching his progress.

Asked if the player’s experience played a key role in this transfer, the Reds’ boss said: “Absolutely. Again, in our club usually that’s the situation… if he’s not 30, firstly, I am not sure we get him. Second, he was always on my list, just usually we don’t sign players of this age group. He is obviously a top fit and we will have a lot of fun with him. I’m really sure he can help us immediately, which is super-cool because the season already started. So, he will show how good he is on the pitch and I can’t wait to have him around”

News of Liverpool’s interest in Endo first emerged on Wednesday evening, at which point plenty of discussion began over what the ex-Bundesliga star would bring to Liverpool. Klopp received plenty of messages from various individuals in his home country after hearing of this news, complementing him on his transfer choice.

“Since there’s a rumour out or was a rumour out, I got plenty of messages from former players of mine and stuff like this,” he told Liverpoolfc.com. “Everybody [was like], ‘If it’s true, this is a genius strike. I asked to sign him for years’ and stuff like this. It was a very positive thing in Germany – he’s super-highly respected.

“I think for Stuttgart it’s really hard to lose him but on the other side I think it’s a good deal as well, one year left [on his] contract. For him, it’s good. For the club, it’s good. For us, it’s really good. He is really happy to join us, which is nice as well.”