Liverpool have confirmed that new signing Hugo Ekitike will wear a temporary shirt number during their pre-season tour of Asia, as the club takes an unusual approach to squad designation.
The French U21 international, who also has Cameroonian heritage, completed a £79 million move from Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday evening.
However, in a surprising development, Liverpool announced that Ekitike will not be assigned a permanent number for now.
Instead, the 22-year-old forward will wear the No. 54 shirt during the Reds’ ongoing tour of Asia, with a final number decision expected later in the summer.
The club did not explain the reasoning behind the delay, but the move marks a rare instance for such a high-profile transfer.
Ekitike’s arrival is seen as a major addition to Liverpool’s frontline, and the club is expected to integrate him gradually into the squad during pre-season matches in Japan and South Korea.
Eintracht Frankfurt sporting director Markus Krösche paid tribute to the forward’s contribution during his time in Germany, stating: “Hugo has developed tremendously in his one and a half years with us and has been a true asset to our team and the entire club both on and off the pitch.
“We are delighted that he can now take the next step – a step he has earned through his performances with us.”
Liverpool fans will get their first look at Ekitike in red when they take on Yokohama F. Marinos in Tokyo this weekend.
