Yesil: Hyypia told me about LFC
New signing Samed Yesil today revealed how Anfield legend Sami Hyypia played a big role in his move to Liverpool - and spoke of his determination to earn a first-team place over the coming years.
The 18-year-old, who will bolster the club's youth ranks, spoke to Liverpoolfc.com after passing a medical on Thursday.
He arrives from Bayer Leverkusen, a club now managed by Hyypia.
And Yesil revealed: "I am really happy about this, it is my dream to play for Liverpool and I will give my all.
"I spoke with Sami Hyypia, he helped me. He told me very important things about Liverpool, the quality of Liverpool and the quality of life here, and how famous the club is."
The striker has an impressive scoring record at youth level, with 22 goals in 26 appearances for his country at U16, U17 and U18 level.
As well as the six he bagged at the U17 World Cup, Yesil was on target three times at the U17 European Championship in May 2011 and was selected in the squad of the tournament by UEFA.
However, he accepts he has a lot to learn before he becomes a first-team regular at Anfield.
"I have spoken with the manager," he said. "The first thing is that I have to train and then in one or two years I hope, step by step, to be in the first team.
"I have to take my chances in training.
"I will work hard here. I have read how the manager here will make a team that is young and that makes many passes, and I think I can be the right player for this.
"I am a goal getter, but it is important that I improve physically on my body because the Premier League is a hard league."
Though his family are Turkish, the new Reds youngster was born in Dusseldorf, Germany.
He speaks some English but will take lessons to become fluent. In the meantime, his English-speaking cousin will be around to lend a hand.
Yesil explained: "I must learn the language, but I am here to learn the language and football in England. It is not so easy, but I hope my qualities will help me make it.
"My family are very happy for me. My cousin is here with me and he will help me for the first six months or one year."