Getting an early start on summer business.
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool rebuild is beginning at the back as the club completed its first summer signing today.
Schalke defender Joel Matip has signed a pre-contract agreement with the Reds with the Bundesliga outfit confirming the move this afternoon.
Joel #Matip will join @LFC at the end of the season. More information to follow. #s04 pic.twitter.com/PsZrSCaUt5
— FC Schalke 04 (@s04_en) February 15, 2016
#Heldt on #Matip's @LFC move: "His decision is nothing against #Schalke. He wants to try something new." #s04 pic.twitter.com/7M90zpVJ7s
— FC Schalke 04 (@s04_en) February 15, 2016
The Cameroon international is out of contract in the summer and has been on the Klopp’s radar for some time. The German had hoped to seal a deal during the January window only for Matip to decide to see out the season at Schalke.
Checking in at 6ft 4in, the 24-year-old centre-half adds a much-needed physical presence to Liverpool’s defence, particularly from set-pieces.
Matip will be the second summer arrival at Anfield, with Serbian midfielder Marko Grujic also due to join the club having been loaned back to Red Star Belgrade following his January transfer to Merseyside.
