'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Liverpool have completed the signing of talented centre-back Dejan Lovren, for £20 million.
The Croatian international will become the third player to join the Reds from Southampton this off-season after forward Rickie Lambert and midfielder Adam Lallana both made the journey up North earlier this summer.
The defender will be playing at his third club in as many season after he joined Southampton from French side Olympique Lyon last summer.
Lovren earned rave reviews, last season as he acted as the cornerstone of the Saints’ defence under Mauricio Pochettino, helping Southampton to a respectable eighth place finish in the Premier League table.
The move, thus, brought him into the spotlight and to the radar of many “big clubs” and he has been constantly linked with a move to Anfield throughout the summer.
It had already reached a point when Lovren was reported as saying that his “head is already at Liverpool”.
The Saints have been on fire-sale mode after the completion of last season. The 25 year old represents the fifth big name departure from the Saints’ rank this summer with manager Mauricio Pochettino and youngster Luke Shaw also scooting off in addition to Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana.
Lovren joins a Liverpool team that already has a plethora of options at the centre-back position. Last year’s major pairing of Mamadou Sakho and Martin Skrtel are already well complemented by the presence of Kolo Toure, Daniel Agger and the emerging Martin Kelly.
Quotes from Lovren
Speaking to the club’s official website, Lovren promised to give his all for Liverpool. The Kop is set to look at Lovren to become the spearhead at the back as they again challenge for the Premier League title and also have the matter of Champions League football to deal with.
"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.”, Lovren said to Liverpool’s official site upon completion of his move.
"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."
