Liverpool completes signing of striker Christian Benteke

Liverpool completed the signing of striker Christian Benteke from Aston Villa on Wednesday.

“The 24-year-old put pen to paper on a long-term contract with the Reds today after successfully completing a medical in London,” Liverpool said on their website (www.liverpoolfc.com).

Villa were reluctant to let the Belgian international striker leave but had no option once Liverpool agreed to meet his buy-out clause of 32.5 million pounds ($50.71 million).

Liverpool had money to spend after selling England’s Raheem Sterling for a fee of 49 million pounds to Manchester City.

Benteke played 100 games for Villa in three seasons, scoring 49 goals. He was top scorer last season with 15, including 12 in as many games towards the end of the campaign, helping them to avoid relegation by three points.

Born in Kinshasa, Zaire, he joined Villa from Belgian club Genk in 2012.

Having also signed Danny Ings from Burnley and Brazilian international Roberto Firmino, Liverpool have invested heavily in firepower to improve on last season’s disappointing sixth place.

Benteke’s potential strike partner Daniel Sturridge will not be fit for the start of the season after having surgery on a thigh injury.