Adam Lallana: Liverpool Signing Nathaniel Clyne A 'Great Coup' For Reds

Adam Lallana smiled when Nathaniel Clyne walked in that door.

Lallana praised Liverpool’s signing of Clyne from Southampton on Wednesday, calling the addition of his friend a “coup” for the Reds, according to the club’s website. Lallana and Clyne were teammates at Southampton between 2012 to 2014 before Lallana joined Liverpool. Lallana said Liverpool has boosted its prospects by signing his former-turned-new teammate for a reported £12.5 million ($20 million).

“It’s a massive signing for us,” Lallana told LiverpoolFC.com. “I played with him for a couple of seasons at Southampton and since they signed him, he’s come on a lot. Last season he probably had his best season at Southampton, got an England call up and he’s been a regular in the squad ever since.

“To manage to persuade him to sign for Liverpool — as I’m sure there would have been other top clubs, and even European clubs interested in him — is a great coup for us.

The bond between Lallana, 27, and Clyne, 24, endured through their season apart from one another. Lallana spoke to Clyne about Liverpool during their shared summer vacation — the two traveled together recently — but didn’t feel the need to deliver a polished sales pitch to a potential recruit.

“I’ve spoken to him (about the move) and I was actually on holiday with him for a little bit this summer — we were in America together,” Lallana said. “I managed to speak to him about it there and I kind of knew it could be on the cards. His intentions were there and he was hoping the deal could get sorted.

“Liverpool explains itself. The whole world knows about Liverpool. I just said to him that I hoped the deal would get done as it’ll be a great place for him to improve even more, especially under Brendan Rodgers’ guidance.”

Lallana and Clyne began their new journey as teammates Wednesday when players reported back to Liverpool’s practice facility for the start of preseason training.