Liverpool have confirmed the signing of Barcelona captain Ronald Araujo on a season-long loan with an option to buy.
The 27-year-old defender, who flew to Merseyside on Sunday afternoon, has since completed his medical.
The Reds have the option to purchase the Uruguay international at the end of the campaign for £47million.
Araujo, who will wear the No 33 shirt, told Liverpoolfc.com: ‘I can’t wait to get started. I’m very, very happy.’
‘I’m excited to be here at this massive club with lots of history. I’m excited to meet my teammates, excited to get started playing, and I’m very motivated and really up for getting going.
‘I think it was the ideal move for me at this stage in my career. I think it was a move that was necessary for me to take. As soon as I heard that interest from Liverpool, everything went into action really, really quickly.‘As I say, I’m super-happy to be here and excited to get started. I’m glad about the interest and it was the right move at the right time.’
The Uruguay international, who did not play at the World Cup due to injury, is expected to train with his new team-mates this week.
Araujo will add to Andoni Iraola’s options at the heart of his defence following the departure of Ibrahima Konate to Real Madrid and fitness concerns over inexperienced 21-year-old Jeremy Jacquet.