Liverpool have announced the signing of defender Dejan Lovren from Southampton on a long-term contract.
The Croatia international penned his deal with the Reds to become the third Southampton player to move to Anfield this summer following striker Rickie Lambert and midfielder Adam Lallana.
A Liverpool statement read: “Liverpool Football Club are delighted to announce the signing of defender Dejan Lovren from Southampton.
“The 25-year-old Croatian international put pen to paper on a long-term deal with the Reds after completing his medical.”
Although no transfer fee was announced by either club, Southampton confirmed it was a “significant fee” with reports putting the figure at £20 million for the centre-back, who played all three of Croatia’s matches at this summer’s World Cup.
Lovren moves to Liverpool after just one year at Southampton, who he joined on a four-year contract from Lyon last summer having previously played for Dinamo Zagreb and Inter Zapresic.
After completing his switch to Brendan Rodgers’s side, Lovren – who scored the winning goal for Saints at Anfield last season – told Liverpoolfc.com: “It’s a dream come true. I’m happy and glad to be here. I’m proud and can’t wait to start. I know we have millions and millions of supporters – Liverpool is more than a club.
After I played at Anfield last season, I said to myself: one day I hope I’ll be able to play here for Liverpool
“After I played at Anfield last season, I said to myself: one day I hope I’ll be able to play here for Liverpool. The fans will know from the first minute that I’m a player that will give 100 per cent on the pitch.”
On that previous appearance at Anfield, Lovren added: “Jose Fonte, my defensive partner at Southampton, told me to listen to ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ before the first whistle and to enjoy the moment. It was really amazing – I had chills on my arms and it’s something that I will never forget. I want to listen to that song every other weekend.”
Back on the pitch, Liverpool made hard work of beating Greek champions Olympiakos 1-0 in a friendly match played in Chicago on Sunday night.
Raheem Sterling scored what proved to be the winner after only five minutes of their International Champions Cup opener, but the Reds could not double their lead and Olympiacos almost equalised in the second half.