Official: Liverpool completes yet another signing

Published 07/22/2015, 6:48 PM EDT

Follow Us

Christian Benteke has completed his £32.5m move to Liverpool from Aston Villa.

Benteke was believed to be the the no.1 summer target for Brendan Rodgers and is the seventh new arrival at Anfield. Benteke has reportedly signed a 5-year deal with the English Premier League club. The striker, who joined Villa in 2012, scored 42 times in 88 appearances which was spread over a duration of 3 seasons.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Liverpool initially were not prepared to meet the Belgian’s buy-out clause, but the departure of Raheem Sterling to Manchester City for £49m changed the plan.

Speaking to club’s official website after completing his move, the 24 year old said : “I’m very happy to be here and I would like to thank the owners, Ian [Ayre, chief executive] and of course the manager for their massive effort to bring me here.”

“I think it was the right club for me because I had a good chat with the manager and I wanted to be part of his project.

“I know Liverpool is a big story. They’ve won league titles and the Champions League five times and of course the UEFA Cup and a lot of trophies. I know it’s a big club.

“I’m very happy to be part of the Liverpool family now and I will do everything to make them happy and work hard for them and my team-mates.”

Benteke will be playing with compatriots Simon Mignolet and Divock Origi.  He also believes that he along with fellow summer  signings has given the club a fair chance of winning silverware this season.

“I think there are quality players, a lot of good players with big names of course,” he added. “I’m happy to be part of this team and will [try] to help this team reach its goals.

“I want to be the best and I want to reach the best of myself.

“I came here to win trophies. I came here to reach some great goals with the team.”

Liverpool side is currently in Kuala Lumpur ahead of their Friday fixture against a Malaysian Select XI at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium.

Liverpool will face Stoke in their first match of 2015-16 Premier League season at the Britannia Stadium.

Liverpool’s summer signings so far —

Christian Benteke – £32.5m – Aston Villa

Roberto Firmino – £29m – Hoffenheim

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Nathaniel Clyne – £12.5m – Southampton

Joe Gomez – £3.5m – Charlton

Danny Ings – (Tribunal) – Burnley

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

James Milner – Free – Manchester City

Adam Bogdan – Free – Bolton

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Aviral Srivastava

112Articles

One take at a time

Pursuing Computer Science Engineering from Bangalore Institute of Technology. Avid sports fan, specially football. A lifelong United supporter.
Show More>