He was so impressive and I'm excited for Liverpool

I was blown away when I faced Florian Wirtz - He was so impressive and I'm excited for Liverpool

Joe Hart has given an exciting endorsement of Florian Wirtz ahead of his British record move to Liverpool after being tormented by the German during his time at Celtic

Leverkusen's German forward Florian Wirtz applauds after the UEFA Europa League Group G football match Bayer 04 Leverkusen v Celtic in Leverkusen (Image: Photo by Ina Fassbender / AFP )

Joe Hart is excited to see Florian Wirtz move to the Premier League, having been blown away by the German when previously facing him as an opponent. The 22-year-old is set to join Liverpool in a club-record deal worth up to £116m.

The Reds have agreed what would be a British record fee with Bayer Leverkusen, with the Germany international set to undergo a medical and finalise his switch to Anfield later this week.

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Bayern Munich had previously been favourites to sign Wirtz, while Man City had also made the German their first-choice target to replace Kevin De Bruyne. However, Liverpool ultimately ended up stealing a march on both sides.

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Hart twice played against Wirtz during his own playing days. And despite his status as a Man City legend, the two-time Premier League winner is looking forward to seeing the playmaker ply his trade in England - even if it is for one of their biggest title-rivals.

“It's something you have got to celebrate as a Premier League fan,” he told talkSPORT . “It's not done, I'm not a big speculator but until it's done on the dotted line and he's holding that shirt, I'm not really going to talk about him as a Liverpool player.

“But I can talk about him as a Bayer Leverkusen player... whoa! I played against him about three years ago in the Europa League and he was so impressive.

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“There's so much hype about him. He is such a clever player, really intricate, can score goals, looks like he has got a good head on his shoulders.

“It's a big price tag and it looks like whoever gets him, if it is Liverpool, he is going to make them a better team. But it is really exciting for the Premier League.”

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Hart faced off against Wirtz twice in the Europa League group-stages back in the 2021/22, as the then 18-year-old tormented the former England international’s Celtic side.

First meeting at Celtic Park in September 2021, Wirtz was on the scoresheet for Bayer Leverkusen - finishing past Hart from close-range - as they ran out 4-0 winners.

Florian Wirtz of Bayer 04 Leverkusen scores their side's second goal past Joe Hart of Celtic during the UEFA Europa League group G match between Celtic FC and Bayer Leverkusen at Celtic Park (Image: 2021 Getty Images )

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Then facing off back in Germany the following November, Wirtz claimed two assists - including the 87th minute winner for Moussa Diaby - as Leverkusen clinched a narrow 3-2 victory.

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