Liverpool dressing room sent clear message after Hugo Ekitike's behaviour caused a stir

Hugo Ekitike is set to bring a fun-loving mood to Liverpool's dressing room, according to his former captain. The Frenchman is expected to sign for the Premier League champions afteragreeing a deal to sign the Eintracht Frankfurt star.

According to The Athletic, the two clubs have agreed on a £69m up-front fee with £10m in add-ons, with Ekitike having already agreed personal terms with Arne Slot's side. The 23-year-old enjoyed a career-best campaign with the Bundesliga side last season, scoring 22 goals and contributing 12 assists across all competitions.

Ekitike spent a season and a half in Germany in his first permanent transfer outside his native France. Before signing for Paris Saint-Germain in 2023, the striker had begun his professional career with his boyhood club, Reims.

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It was in 2021 that he spent the season on loan at Danish Superliga side Vejle, as he joined the club in the January transfer window. Despite spending just a number of months in Denmark, he had a positive impact, according to Vejle's captain at the time, Jacob Schoop.

Speaking to BBC Sport, a smiling Schoop recalled the fond memories of Ekitike's stint at the club as he let the Frenchman's future Liverpool team-mates in on the lively character they'll be getting. "He was always in a good mood, and he liked to have some fun in the dressing room," he said.

"If there was a song on the speaker he would be dancing. That's not really the Danish culture - most of us were more reserved! He was a happy boy, and even though he didn't play as much in the beginning, he trained well and had a really good attitude.

"The joy he had for playing was amazing to see. Even during a tough session, he'd still be laughing, finding fun in beating players one-v-one, or putting in that little bit extra." While he finished with just three goals and one assist for Vejle, his quality was clear to see, said Schoop.

"There was a game against Sonderjyske that if we won, we avoided relegation. Hugo was unbelievable in that game," he says. "That's the sign of a big game player - to step up and find that bit extra."

Ahead of his planned medical this week, Ekitike is expected to fly out to Hong Kong to join up with his Liverpool team-mates who touched down in the region on Monday for a 10-day pre-season tour.

The impending arrival of Ekitike only adds to the speculation surrounding Darwin Nunez's future. Nunez is expected to depart Anfield this summer after three years at the club.

Despite the likelihood of the 26-year-old leaving Merseyside, he has enjoyed a positive start to pre-season that began with a goal in Liverpool's 3-1 win over Preston North End earlier this month. He followed that up with a first-half hat-trick in a behind-closed-doors 5-0 friendly victory over Stoke City on Sunday.

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