Leipzig's French center-back Ibrahima Konaté has signed up for Liverpool, the Reds announced on Friday.
Liverpool have decided to exercise the 22-year-old's release clause, which stands at € 41m, but did not specify the length of the contract, which they only describe as "long-term".
The transaction remains subject to a medical examination and obtaining a work permit.
"I'm really happy to sign for such a big club as Liverpool," the player said on the club's website.
For the moment, I am focused on the Euro Espoirs with France but after this competition I know that I will join one of the best teams in the world and it is an incredible feeling.
"
Klopp had spotted him in Sochaux
Trained at Sochaux before spending 4 seasons in Leipzig (95 games, 4 goals), Konaté has 12 caps with the French Espoirs.
“He's someone I've admired for a long time, since I saw his potential for the first time when he was at Sochaux,” said Jürgen Klopp, also on the club's website.
“After all the problems we had with injuries at the center-back position last season, it was obvious that this was an area of the team that we needed to strengthen,” continued the German coach.
“With Ibrahima, we are recruiting a player who will reinforce the quality that we already have here.
Its physical characteristics are very impressive.
He is fast, he is very strong and domineering in the air ”thanks to his large size (1.94 m).
The player's progress had been held back somewhat in the 2019/2020 due to injuries that caused him to miss many matches.
"I am confident that we are recruiting a player who can play for us immediately, but he is a 22-year-old boy who has room for improvement because of his immense potential," Klopp said.
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