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          Roberto Firmino: I joined Liverpool from Hoffenheim to win trophies

          • ESPN staffJun 25, 2015, 02:38 AM ET

          New Liverpool signing Roberto Firmino said he left Hoffenheim because he wants to "fight for titles" at Anfield.

          Liverpool announced on Wednesday that they had agreed a deal for Brazil international Firmino -- reported to be worth £29 million -- and that he will join the club pending a successful medical after the Copa America.

          Firmino said he was ready to move on from Hoffenheim, who have never won a major trophy and only reached the Bundesliga for the first time in 2008, to fulfil his ambitions.

          "It is time to leave Hoffenheim for a bigger club to fight for titles, but for now I am concentrated on the Copa," Firmino, who joined Hoffenheim from Figueirense for €4 million in 2010, said in kicker.

          Liverpool midfielder Emre Can, currently with the Germany squad at the Under-21 European Championship, told kicker that Firmino would have a significant impact at Anfield.

          "I am looking forward to playing with him," former Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Can said. "He will help us greatly with his qualities."

          Former Barcelona star Ronaldinho, who helped Brazil to World Cup glory in 2002, is reported to have said that Firmino could excel alongside compatriot Philippe Coutinho at Anfield.

          "For Liverpool to have Coutinho and Firmino is a big achievement for them," he is quoted as saying in the Daily Mirror. "It is going to give them one of the most exciting midfields in Europe.

          "The creativity, intelligence, and goals they have between them can change Liverpool as a team. It is a big sign of intent. To have a midfield with those two gives them a big chance to qualify for the Champions League next season.

          "It is a dream for the Liverpool strikers to have that sort of service. If you can't score goals in a team with Coutinho and Firmino in midfield then you won't score goals in any team. They will create so many chances."

          Hoffenheim sporting director Alexander Rosen told kicker that the club were happy to allow Firmino to make the move.

          "Many people at TSG have helped to make Roberto Firmino the player he is today," he told kicker. "TSG Hoffenheim needs to make such transfers to ensure the profitability of the club. He is a big loss for our team, but we are convinced that we will have an exciting squad without Roberto.

          "The money will not change our transfer plans. We planned our squad long-term and independently of the Firmino transfer. We want players that can take the next step in their careers here and which we can lift onto the next level."

          Hoffenheim, a village-based team that had never been higher than German football's third tier until 2007, made their rise through the financial backing of Dietmar Hopp but they have generated significant funds through buying and selling Brazilian players.

          Carlos Eduardo was bought from Gremio in 2007 before being sold to Rubin Kazan at a huge profit three years later, while Luiz Gustavo joined from Corinthians Alagoano for just €1m in 2007 before being sold to Bayern Munich for €17m in 2010.

          The Bundesliga club's latest Brazilian acquisition is 18-year-old forward Joelinton, who has joined from Sport Recife for a reported €2m.

          Rosen said: "[Joelinton] should not be burdened with high expectations. He is only 18, will face a lot of new experiences and needs time to develop."

          Joelinton added in Bild: "I know I can develop here at Hoffenheim. All Brazilians that played for Hoffenheim have made something out of themselves.

          "Hoffenheim can be a stepping stone to the Selecao. I followed Firmino's development and want to take the same route. I had contact to Firmino via text message and he promised to call me after the Copa to tell me some things about Hoffenheim."

          ESPN FC correspondent Jens Weber contributed to this report.