Official: Liverpool announces Isak deal

                                                    Isak is finally in a Liverpool shirt

Official: Liverpool announces Isak deal

Liverpool announced the signing of Alexander Isak from Newcastle United in a record deal in English football, ending a long saga that had caused a rift between the Swedish striker and his former club since the beginning of the season. Isak's signing on a long-term contract, reportedly worth £125 million ($168.86 million), brings Liverpool's transfer spending to nearly £500 million.

The Swedish international will compete with French striker Ugo Ekitike, who joined Liverpool for £69 million and has already made a strong start to his career. Isak scored 23 league goals last season, leading Newcastle back into the Champions League after a fifth-place finish. He also scored in the League Cup final against Liverpool to secure Newcastle's first domestic title in 70 years.

The player did not join Newcastle on their pre-season tour and was forced to train separately in a tense confrontation with the club, which manager Eddie Howe described as a "lose-lose situation." Isaac accused Newcastle of breaking promises and misleading fans in a statement confirming his desire to leave the northeastern club, saying the change was in "everyone's best interests."

In his first words after the official announcement, Isaac told Liverpool's official website: "I feel great. It's been a long journey to get here. I'm so happy to be part of this project, this team, this club, and everything it stands for. It's something I'm proud of and look forward to." Press reports indicated that the 25-year-old will join Liverpool on a six-year contract.

Isaac is the latest new signing for Liverpool, following the club's recent acquisition of German Florian Wirtz, another big-money signing, along with Ekitike, Dutchman Jérémy Frimpong, and Hungarian Milos Kirkes. Liverpool lead the Premier League standings with 9 points from three wins, over Bournemouth, Newcastle, and Arsenal. Newcastle, on the other hand, are in 17th place after a disappointing goalless draw with Leeds United in the third round, followed by a loss to Liverpool and a draw with Aston Villa.