Liverpool have confirmed the arrival of Christian Benteke from Aston Villa on a long-term contract.
The 24-year-old passed a medical in London this afternoon before agreeing personal terms with the Merseyside club.
Benteke joins the Reds on the back of a campaign that saw him score 16 goals in 25 appearances in the Premier League for the Villans.
As well as making an impact during his three years in English football, the prolific forward has also impressed at international level with Belgium by finding the net seven times.
A move is thought to have been in the pipeline for the past fortnight after Liverpool triggered the player's £32.5m buyout clause, and Benteke admits that he is delighted to have made the switch.
"I'm very happy to be here and I would like to thank the owners, Ian [Ayre] and of course the manager for their massive effort to bring me here," he told his new club's official website.
"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 [many] 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."
Benteke becomes Liverpool's seventh signing of the summer.
Daniel Lewis
