Liverpool confirm signing of Aston Villa’s Belgian striker Christian Benteke

LIVERPOOL have confirmed the $68m signing of Belgian international striker Christian Benteke from Premier League rivals Aston Villa.

LIVERPOOL have confirmed the signing of Belgian international striker Christian Benteke from Premier League rivals Aston Villa.

Although neither the length of the contract nor the fee were disclosed, several British media organisations said Benteke had signed a five-year deal worth £32.5 million ($68 million)

The 24-year-old’s 12 goals in as many games last season played a key role in helping Villa avoid relegation from the lucrative top flight of English football.

Benteke has been unveiled by Liverpool.

Liverpool signed Benteke, who still has two years left on his Villa contract, after off-loading forward Raheem Sterling to Manchester City for a record fee for an English player.

“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,” Benteke told the club’s official website.

“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.

YNWA🔴🔴🔴 pic.twitter.com/ypHFKLSGto

— Bentekechristian (@bentekechris20) July 22, 2015

“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.

It’s about winning trophies. It’s about doing something in [my] career I can maybe explain to my son or my kids what I did.”

Originally published as Liverpool confirm signing of Aston Villa’s Belgian striker Christian Benteke