Christian Benteke Completes Transfer to Liverpool for £32.5m
Liverpool have confirmed the signing of Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke for £32.5m.
The potential transfer has created waves in the transfer market since Liverpool agreed to match Benteke’s release clause in his contract. As reported by The Inquisitr earlier this month, Liverpool have been chasing the Belgian striker for some considerable time.
Benteke becomes Liverpool’s second most expensive signing, behind Andy Carroll, on what the management team confirm as a “long term deal.” Liverpool, who sold young forward Raheem Sterling to Manchester City for £49m last week, had adequate funds to make Benteke their seventh summer signing.
Belgium international Benteke, 24, scored 49 goals in 101 appearances for Aston Villa after signing from Genk in 2012. He cost Villa £7m, meaning they make a huge profit from the sale. Benteke has lit up the Premier League since arriving, scoring some crucial goals and keeping Aston Villa safe from relegation last season.
In his first interview since joining the Reds, Christian Benteke told LiverpoolFC.com: “I’m very happy to be here and I would like to thank the owners, Ian [Ayre] and of course the manager for their massive effort to bring me here.”
“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.”
Liverpool players, including fellow Belgian goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, have welcomed Benteke to the club with open arms. Mignolet congratulated Benteke on the Liverpool FC Twitter feed.
#LFC 'keeper @SMignolet reveals why he's so happy that the Reds have signed @bentekechris20: http://t.co/8VK1xcztP1 pic.twitter.com/FUEXe7PHf8
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 23, 2015
Benteke is Liverpool’s seventh summer signing as they plan their assault on the Premier League title. The Reds have also acquired Nathanial Clyne from Southampton, Danny Ings from Burnley, Roberto Firmino from Hoffenheim, Joe Gomez from Charlton Athletic, James Milner from Manchester City, and Adam Bogdan from Bolton Wanderers.
With the departure of influential captain Steven Gerrard, Liverpool have made a huge statement thus far in the post-Gerrard era. They have also released long-term team members Glen Johnson and Brad Jones, and the reshaping of the squad is continuous. Liverpool manager Brendan Rogers has always stated his intent to bring in the best players and on this evidence, he is backing it up. After losing valuable members like Gerrard, and Luiz Suarez in less recent seasons, the signing of Benteke will be a good sign of faith to the Liverpool fans.
Christian Benteke has been capped over twenty times for Belgium, but missed the World Cup through injury.
[Image Credit – Skysports.com]
