Liverpool have confirmed the signing of Christian Benteke.
The 24-year-old Belgian striker has joined the Reds on a long-term contract after the Merseyside club agreed to pay Aston Villa his £32.5million buyout clause.
Benteke arrives at Anfield after spending the past three season with Villa, for who he scored 49 goals in 101 appearances, and was over the moon with the desire the Anfield club showed to secure his services.
"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," Benteke told Liverpool's official website.
"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.
"I think when I came here with Aston Villa [it was] a great feeling to play at Anfield. Now, to be in the home shirt is going to be an exciting feeling.
"I know Liverpool is a big story. They've won league titles and the Champions League five times and of course the UEFA Cup and a lot of trophies. I know it's a big club.
"I think there are quality players, a lot of good players with big names of course. I'm happy to be part of this team and will [try] to help this team reach its goals.
"I came here to win trophies. I came here to reach some great goals with the team."
Benteke becomes Brendan Rodgers' seventh signing of the summer, following Danny Ings, James Milner, Adam Bogdan, Joe Gomez, Roberto Firmino and Nathaniel Clyne to Liverpool.
The 24-year-old signed his contract with #LFC today after successfully completing a medical #BentekeLFCpic.twitter.com/b4rPKFqEhH
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 22, 2015