Shaqiri completes €11m move from Liverpool to Lyon

Stefan Bienkowski

Updated: 23 Aug 2021 11:22 CDT
3 min read

Xherdan Shaqiri celebrates scoring against Everton for Liverpool — © ProShots

Xherdan Shaqiri has completed a move from Liverpool to Lyon after agreeing to join the Ligue 1 giants on a three-year deal in a move that could reach €11 million.

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The Switzerland international makes the move to France after a successful three-year spell at Anfield, which saw Shaqiri bag eight goals in 63 appearances for Jurgen Klopp’s team.

Often used as an impact sub, Shaqiri played a role in Liverpool winning their first Premier League title in 30 years as well as a sixth European Cup in 2019, after joining the club from Stoke City in 2018.

However, after making 30 appearances for Klopp’s side in his first season at the club, injury got the better of the 29-year-old midfielder in his second season at the club and saw him feature in just 11 games across all competitions. And last season saw Shaqiri pick up just 819 minutes across 22 games.

As such, this summer seems like an ideal opportunity to begin a new chapter and it seems as though the Swiss attacking midfielder is hoping to add to his impressive trophy haul with Lyon.

Shaqiri makes the move to Lyon as the club’s fourth signing of the summer, following the loan of Chelsea full-back Emerson, as well as picking up Henrique and Damien Da Silva on free transfers.

New manager Peter Bosz will be hoping Shaqiri’s experience and talent will both come in handy as he tries to build a squad that can challenge for major trophies in France and return to European football on a regular basis.

Xherdan Shaqiri has today completed a permanent transfer to Lyon after three years with the Reds.

Everybody at #LFC thanks @XS_11official for his contributions to the club and wishes him the very best for the rest of his career 🙌
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 23, 2021

Why has Shaqiri left Liverpool?

While Liverpool have been very quiet in the transfer window when it comes to buying players - with Ibrahima Konate being the only notable new signing of the summer - the Anfield side have been taking stock of their squad players and selling them off accordingly.

Prior to Shaqiri’s move to Lyon, Harry Wilson completed a £12.6m move to Fulham, while Taiwo Awoniyi left for Union Berlin for just under £6m.

It remains to be seen whether this is a case of Liverpool selling off back-up players to fund new signings before the end of the window or Klopp and his backroom staff simply allowing fringe players to move on in search or regular football.