Bradley Barcola’s move to Liverpool may have been completed at the negotiating table, but behind the scenes, Hugo Ekitike was already doing his own bit to welcome his France teammate to Anfield.
The newly signed Liverpool forward has revealed that Ekitike regularly contacted him throughout the summer, repeatedly asking whether he was coming to Merseyside.
Barcola has now officially completed his move from Paris Saint-Germain to Liverpool, reuniting with Ekitike at club level after the pair previously shared experiences together with the French national team and at PSG.
For Liverpool, the arrival represents another major attacking addition as the club continues to shape its squad for the future.
But for Barcola, there is also the added excitement of linking up again with a familiar face.
And according to the new Liverpool No.29, Ekitike made sure the possibility of an Anfield reunion was never far from his mind.
“I don’t know Jeremy [Jacquet], but I was able to talk to Hugo, who I met in the French team and in my old club,” Barcola told Liverpoolfc.com.
“He was waiting for me to sign the contract, sending me messages often asking me if I was coming or not.
“I can’t wait to get back together and be able to play with him. I already said [told him] that it is done.”
The comments offer a glimpse into the personal connections behind one of Liverpool’s biggest moves of the summer.
Transfers are often dominated by negotiations, fees, contracts and deadlines, but relationships inside football can also play an important role.
In this case, Ekitike appears to have been eagerly waiting for confirmation that his international teammate would be joining him at Anfield.
Barcola and Ekitike will have the opportunity to build their partnership again, this time wearing Liverpool colours.
Their existing understanding could prove valuable as the Reds look to integrate new attacking options and develop combinations quickly.
For Barcola, the challenge now shifts from completing the transfer to making an impact on the pitch.
For Ekitike, his persistent messages have finally received the answer he wanted.
And for Liverpool supporters, the prospect of two French forwards who already know each other well could be another exciting storyline to follow as the season unfolds.
One thing is clear: Ekitike was waiting for Barcola — and now Liverpool’s new attacking partnership can finally begin.
Toosin is a dedicated sports writer with a strong background in crafting engaging and insightful content. With experience at Goal, he has developed a sharp editorial sense and a refined storytelling approach that brings depth and perspective to sports journalism. His passion for the game goes beyond the headlines, as he captures both the excitement of the sport and the compelling human narratives behind each event. Toosin’s work resonates with a broad and diverse audience, making global sports stories accessible, relatable, and impactful.
