Christian Benteke thrilled as Liverpool move completed
The Belgium international becomes the seventh new arrival at Anfield since the end of last season but he was always the priority for the Reds boss.
Benteke is understood to have signed a five-year contract after undergoing a two-part medical in London earlier this week before travelling to Merseyside yesterday to complete the paperwork on the deal, which will see Liverpool pay £16m (€23m) up front with the remainder of the fee payable over the course of his contract.
#LFC are delighted to confirm the signing of Belgian striker @bentekechris20 from @AVFCOfficial #BentekeLFC pic.twitter.com/QODMLLUGhn
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 22, 2015
Rodgers’ pursuit of the 24-year-old has been a lengthy one as the club were initially not prepared to meet the striker’s buy-out clause, but following the sale of Raheem Sterling to Manchester City in £49m (€70m) deal last week there was a change of heart.
“I’m very happy to be here and I would like to thank the owners, Ian (Ayre, chief executive who pushed the deal through) and of course the manager for their massive effort to bring me here,’’ the striker said.
“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.
The 24-year-old signed his contract with #LFC today after successfully completing a medical #BentekeLFC pic.twitter.com/b4rPKFqEhH
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 22, 2015
“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.”
Benteke will not meet most of his new team-mates until they return after Friday’s match against a Malaysia XI in Kuala Lumpur.
He already knows a couple of them —goalkeeper Simon Mignolet and Divock Origi — from the national team and believes the summer recruitment has given the Reds a chance of winning silverware.
What's your reaction to the signing of Belgium international forward @bentekechris20? Let us know using #BentekeLFC pic.twitter.com/EUg5GDB60G
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 22, 2015
“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.”
Benteke’s arrival could spell the end of the road for Mario Balotelli after Rodgers said the Italian’s future lies in the player’s own hands.
Asked if Balotelli would still be a Liverpool player come the end of the transfer window, he added: “I’m not sure, that will entirely be up to Mario.
“He is working hard to get fit and we will see when the season begins.”
Meanwhile, West Ham have signed Argentinian midfielder Manuel Lanzini on a season-long loan from United Arab Emirates club Al Jazira.
Elsewhere, reported Arsenal and Manchester United target Mario Suarez is poised to join Fiorentina after the midfielder’s departure from Atletico Madrid was confirmed.
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