Federico Chiesa has become the latest signing for Liverpool after completing £10m move from Juventus
New Liverpool signing Federico Chiesa has explained his decision to follow Jordan Henderson in wearing the number 14 for the club. Chiesa has chosen the jersey after making a £10million move from Juventus – which could rise to £12.5m with add-ons – and putting pen to paper on a four-year contract at Anfield.
The number has been vacant since long-time captain Henderson left last summer to play in Saudi Arabia before switching to Dutch side Ajax in January.
And Chiesa will become the latest owner of a shirt that was also previously worn with distinction by the likes of Jan Molby and Xabi Alonso.
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Asked if the number had any significance for him, the attacker said: “Yes it has, actually. It’s the number I have been wearing with the national team.
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“It was an easy pick as Liverpool sent me a video showing me my career and the goals I have scored with Fiorentina and Juventus, and at the end it was me with a number 14 shirt on.
“So I said ‘ah, it was destined to be’. So I chose the number 14.”
Chiesa, who could be available for selection in the Premier League clash at bitter North West rivals Manchester United on Sunday, will have to wait until September 14 and the visit of Nottingham Forest for his potential first experience of playing at Anfield.
The 26-year-old’s father Enrico scored at the stadium when starring for Italy at the European Championships in 1996, although a 2-1 defeat to the Czech Republic contributed to elimination at the group stage.
By contrast, the new Liverpool forward won the Euros in England in 2021 during which he scored, ensuring he became part of the first father and son pair to have scored at the tournament.
And of his dad’s goal at Anfield, Chiesa said to liverpoolfc.com: “He doesn’t tell me about this, because usually when we speak about the Euros he doesn’t want to speak about that because I say that I won it and he hasn’t won it!
“He talks to me about the goals he has scored and that he has scored more than me and I have to reach him, that’s what we talk about! We have a picture of him celebrating that goal.
“My father is happy for me to join Liverpool. He said ‘go’ – as soon as he heard Liverpool (were interested), he said ‘go, it’s the best choice for your career.”
