Football
Glenn Price, Liverpool correspondent 8y

Liverpool defender Andre Wisdom loaned to FC Salzburg

Liverpool defender Andre Wisdom has joined FC Salzburg on a season-long loan, both clubs have confirmed.

Wisdom will spend the 2016-17 season in the Austrian Premier League -- his fourth temporary spell away from Anfield since breaking into the first team squad in 2012.

The versatile defender regularly featured for Liverpool in preseason but has failed to force his way into Jurgen Klopp's first-team plans so far this campaign.

FC Salzburg sporting director Christoph Freund described the reasons for signing Wisdom.

"Given the long-term injury of Christian Schwegler, we only had one player available on the right with Stefan Lainer, who is certainly not going to be able to cope with playing all of the games we have got coming up this autumn," Freund said.

"Therefore, with Andre Wisdom we have signed from the Premier League a robust defensive all-rounder who can play not only as full-back, but also as a central defender."

Wisdom says he is looking forward to increased playing time with the Austrian Bundesliga side.

"The most important motivation for me to come to Red Bull Salzburg is that I would like to be playing!" Wisdom said. "I informed myself about the club and did a bit of research, but in the end it was seeing how professionally things are run here which clinched it. I can see that I can improve as a player here."

He added: "I know this club wants to win titles and also has lofty ambitions in the Europa League. I want to give it my best and help realise these goals."

Wisdom was linked with a move to Scottish champions Celtic where he would have been reunited with manager Brendan Rodgers, who handed Wisdom his opportunity at Liverpool, but a deal never materialised.

The 23-year-old spent last season at Norwich City, making 14 appearances as they were relegated from the Premier League.

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