Liverpool FC has completed the transfer of Alexander Isak from Newcastle United for a British record transfer fee of £125 million (R2.9 billion).

The previous British transfer record was the £107 million (R2.5 billion) Chelsea paid Benfica for Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez in 2023.

On a global scale, Isak’s move to the Reds is third when based on initial fees. The two most expensive moves in football are Paris St-Germain’s signings of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.

The French club spent £200 million (R4.7 billion) in bringing in Neymar from Barcelona in 2017.

Mbappe joined in the same year, initially on loan from Monaco, in what became a £166 million (R3.9 billion) permanent deal.

Isak’s deal takes Liverpool’s summer spending to about £416 million (R9.9 billion), without add-on fees.

It is only the second time that an English side has shelled out more than £400 million in a summer, following Chelsea’s £401 million outlay in 2023.

Isak joins the Premier League champions as their new No. 9 on a six-year contract, which he signed on deadline day, 31 August, after successfully passing a medical.

“It’s been a long journey to get here. But I’m super happy to be a part of this team, this club, and everything it stands for. It’s something I’m proud of, and I’m really looking forward to it.

“I’m just happy it’s done and that I can get back to work. I’m looking forward to seeing my teammates and the fans and getting back out there.”

Sweden striker Isak established himself as one of the Premier League’s leading attackers during his three seasons with Newcastle.

Having arrived from Real Sociedad in the summer of 2022, he scored 62 goals in 109 appearances for the St. James’ Park club.

To date, he has earned 52 caps for Sweden, scoring 16 goals.