Hugo Ekitiké arrives at Liverpool as a star striker. The Frenchman signs for the Reds in a deal worth close to €95 million, with the aim of becoming the number nine Arne Slot’s team desperately needs. How will he fit in at Liverpool? We analyze it below.
Who is Hugo Ekitiké?
Born in Reims, France, on June 20, 2002, Hugo Ekitiké is a French center forward with a market value of €75 million. He is right-footed, stands 190 cm tall, and weighs 76 kg.
He began his career in the Stade Reims youth system before going on loan to Vejle BK in Denmark. Upon returning to Reims, he broke into the first team and impressed in Ligue 1, earning a €28.5 million move to PSG. However, he struggled to fulfill his potential in Paris, scoring four goals and providing four assists in 32 appearances. After a one-year loan at Eintracht Frankfurt, the German club signed him permanently for €16.5 million.
At Frankfurt, Ekitiké rediscovered his best form, scoring 22 goals and providing 12 assists in 48 matches, showcasing his versatility and dynamic play. This caught the interest of Liverpool, who have now signed him for €95 million. Let’s examine how he fits in at Slot’s Liverpool and recap his season in Germany.
An Incredible Striker
Compared to other forwards in Europe’s top five leagues, Ekitiké is an exceptional attacker. He excels in nearly every offensive metric: dribbling, acceleration, shooting, key passes, and also contributes heavily to team play through passing and duel-winning. He is a complete and versatile striker.
His most remarkable stat is his chances created per game: 4.08. This demonstrates his ability to lead the attack, not just through goalscoring, but by increasing his team’s goal-scoring opportunities. He acts as both a finisher and a creator.
His vision and speed also stand out, averaging 0.79 key passes and 0.76 accelerations per game. He’s agile and versatile in the final third, often drifting wide or dropping deeper to link up play and carry the ball forward.
Ekitiké’s outstanding season in the Bundesliga is further highlighted by his ranking as the second-best forward in the league—just behind Harry Kane. An impressive feat by any standard.
Omnipresent in the Opponent’s Half
As a forward who thrives in combination play, Ekitiké’s movement—as shown in his heatmap—covers much of the attacking half. He’s not limited to the box but frequently drops deeper to help build attacks and improve the team’s offensive rhythm.
His natural position is center forward, with a 97.5% likelihood of playing there. At Liverpool, he would serve as the focal point in a 4-2-3-1 setup, surrounded by talents like Mo Salah and Florian Wirtz. These players tend to occupy central areas, allowing Ekitiké to drift wide and find space, all while pinning back defenders with his positioning.
What Sets Him Apart—And What He Brings to Liverpool
Ekitiké took the most shots per game in the Bundesliga (3.68), the sixth-highest rate across Europe’s top five leagues. Liverpool led the Premier League in total shots (215), and Ekitiké’s arrival is set to bolster that attacking threat even further.
All 15 of his Bundesliga goals came from inside the box. He doesn’t often shoot from distance, instead thriving as a clinical finisher in close-range situations. Liverpool are the third-best Premier League team for passes into the six-yard box (1,315), a stat that perfectly complements Ekitiké’s strengths in positioning, movement, and finishing.
Though known for linking play, Ekitiké is also capable of creating scoring chances on his own. He is particularly dangerous on the counterattack thanks to his vertical runs. His agility and speed allow him to beat defenders in transition, driving the ball forward to create chances. At Frankfurt, he generated 71 chances through ball-carrying alone, resulting in four goals—a trait that suits Liverpool’s high-paced counter-attacking style.
Transfer and Contract Figures
Liverpool secured Ekitiké’s signature for around €95 million, tying him to the club until June 2031.
Though the fee may seem high, his performances and statistics back it up. Ekitiké’s salary will range from €5 million annually—almost double what he earned at Frankfurt—reflecting his elevated status and importance in the squad.
Liverpool’s Best Number Nine?
When compared to Liverpool’s striker options last season—Diogo Jota and Darwin Núñez—Ekitiké comes out on top. He’s stylistically closer to Jota (rest in peace), offering a mix of creativity, movement, and duel-winning. Unlike Darwin, who functions more as a pure box striker, Ekitiké is more complete, explosive, and involved in playmaking. He offers a fresh alternative in Liverpool’s attacking setup.
The Missing Piece for Slot
Driven by the need for a dynamic forward, Liverpool returned to the market in search of a player who could both finish and combine effectively in the final third. That player is Hugo Ekitiké—a special €95 million talent, ready to lead Arne Slot’s side toward greater goals.