Liverpool completed the signing of striker Christian Benteke from Aston Villa last night.

“The 24-year-old put pen to paper on a long-term contract with the Reds after successfully completing a medical in London,” Liverpool said.

Villa were reluctant to let the Belgian international striker leave but had no option once Liverpool agreed to meet his buy-out clause of £32.5 million.

Liverpool had money to spend after selling England’s Raheem Sterling for a fee of £49 million to Manchester City.

Benteke played 100 games for Villa in three seasons, scoring 49 goals. He was top scorer last season with 15, including 12 in as many games towards the end of the campaign, helping them to avoid relegation by three points.

Born in Zaire, he joined Villa from Belgian club Genk in 2012.

Benteke’s potential strike partner Daniel Sturridge will not be fit for the start of the season after having surgery on a thigh injury.

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