Marko Grujic completes permanent move from Liverpool to Porto

Burnley sign goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey following his release by Crystal Palace

Marko Grujic has completed a permanent move to Porto, Liverpool have announced. File photograph: Nick Potts/PA
Marko Grujic has completed a permanent move to Porto, Liverpool have announced. File photograph: Nick Potts/PA

Liverpool midfielder Marko Grujic has completed a permanent move to Porto, the Premier League club have announced.

Serbia international Grujic, 25, Jurgen Klopp’s first signing as Liverpool manager in 2016, made only 16 appearances in all competitions during five years at Anfield.

Liverpool said on their official website: “The Serbia international returns to the Portuguese club after making 39 appearances and scoring two goals during a loan spell in 2020-21.”

“Grujic joined up with Klopp’s squad for this month’s pre-season training camp in Austria and will now bid farewell to link up with Porto permanently.”

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Grujic, who also spent two seasons on loan at Hertha Berlin, agreed to join Liverpool from Red Star Belgrade in January 2016 before completing the move later that year.

His eight Premier League appearances for Liverpool were all as a substitute and he featured on eight further occasions. He spent the second half of the 2017-18 season on loan at Cardiff.

Meanwhile Burnley have signed Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey on a two-year deal following his release by Crystal Palace.

Hennessey, 34, who departed Selhurst Park earlier this month, was back-up for Wales number one Danny Ward at Euro 2020.

Burnley said on their official website: “The Clarets have added more proven Premier League pedigree to their squad with the capture of record-breaking Wales international goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey.

“Hennessey joins Burnley as a free agent following his departure from top-flight rivals Crystal Palace and has agreed a two-year deal — with a further year’s option — at Turf Moor.”

Former Wolves goalkeeper Hennessey, Wales' most-capped goalkeeper with 96 appearances, will provide competition for Burnley's England international Nick Pope.

Hennessey, on the bench for all four of Wales’ Euro 2020 matches, has made a total of 181 Premier League appearances for Wolves and Palace and has also had loan spells at Stockport and Yeovil.

He is the Clarets' second senior summer signing after the arrival of Irish defender Nathan Collins from Stoke for an undisclosed fee.