Liverpool wrapped up a deal for Christian Benteke on Wednesday, luring the target man to Anfield on a long-term contract having finally struck a deal to prise the Belgian powerhouse away from Aston Villa.
"The 24-year-old put pen to paper on a long-term contract with the Reds today after successfully completing a medical in London," Liverpool said on their website, bringing to a close several weeks of negotiations between the clubs.
British media reported last week that the Mersey siders had finally agreed to meet a £32.5 million release clause in the striker's contract, having previously sought and failed to persuade the Midlands club to reduce their asking price.
Benteke becomes Liverpool's seventh close-season signing and represents the latest effort by manager Brendan Rodgers to recruit some frontline firepower after last season's struggles in front of goal.
The forward joins Brazil international Roberto Firmino, fellow Belgian Divock Origi who returned to the club after spending last season on loan at Lille and England Under-21 striker Danny Ings, who have all been brought to Anfield with the intention of reinvigorating Liverpool's attack.
Benteke's bullish qualities are likely to add an extra dimension to a Liverpool frontline who looked lightweight last season, finding the net just 52 times in the Premier League after plundering 101 in the previous campaign.
Having helped Villa avoid relegation last season, he hopes to have different objectives at his new club.
"I came here to win trophies. I came here to reach some great goals with the team," he said on the Liverpool website.
"It's about winning trophies. It's about doing something in (my) career I can maybe explain to my son or my kids what I did."
Benteke missed the 2014 World Cup in Brazil with an Achilles tendon injury but returned to action last October and scored 15 times to help Villa stay in the Premier League and reach the FA Cup final.
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