Liverpool sign Luis Diaz: Comparisons with Luis Figo and malnutrition concerns

Signing for Liverpool is the latest step in a remarkable journey for Luiz Diaz, the Colombian forward who was once so slight his coaches feared he was suffering from malnutrition.

He has since experienced life in Europe — having spent three years with Porto — but aged 18 had never left his own country, despite being raised next to the border with Venezuela in north-eastern Colombia.

His first experience of travelling abroad came in mid-2015, when the young winger was called up to represent his country at the Copa America of Indigenous People.

As a member of the Wayuu — the largest indigenous community in Colombia — he could not have been more excited after impressing local legend Carlos Valderrama.

«The competition would be held in Chile so we took a five-hour flight there and you could see his eyes light up with that experience,» former Colombia international John 'Pocillo' Diaz, who coached that side, told BBC Sport.

«Lucho would ask us if he could have the same meal more than once. He was this humble.»

Though that has not changed, one thing certainly has — Diaz has made many other trips.

And now he will journey to Liverpool, signing for an initial £37.5m, having enjoyed the best six months of his career.

Diaz was unstoppable during last summer's Copa America, finding the net against the likes of Brazil and Argentina and finishing the tournament as joint top scorer alongside Lionel Messi.

He has followed that with 14 goals in 18 league appearances for Porto this season, as well as scoring home and away against AC Milan in the Champions League.

The 25-year-old quickly became the next big thing in Portuguese football and Liverpool decided to move quickly to ensure they did not miss out. Other clubs — including Tottenham,