Croatian Defender Dejan Lovren Completes Liverpool Move

Liverpool have announced the arrival of Dejan Lovren from Southampton after the defender successfully completed his medical and signed a long-term contract with the club.

Brendan Rodgers was keen to bring in more defensive cover to the club, and has been tracking the Croatian international all through the summer transfer window. Liverpool have beaten off competition from Arsenal and Tottenham to capture the defender's signature.

Lovren had set his sights on a move to Anfield earlier in the summer, when he said 'my head is already at Liverpool' after Southampton rejected a £20m bid from the Merseyside club.

The 25-year-old defender said he was delighted to have completed the move to the Reds.

"It's a dream come true. I'm happy and glad to be here. I'm proud and can't wait to start.I know we have millions and millions of supporters - Liverpool is more than a club," Lovren told Liverpool's official site.

"After I played at Anfield last season, I said to myself: 'One day I hope I'll be able to play here for Liverpool'. The fans will know from the first minute that I'm a player that will give 100 per cent on the pitch," he added.

The Northern Irishman also spoke of his delight in signing Lovren from Southampton, and is keen to start working with the defender. The Croatian international will fly to the USA and join his new team-mates on their pre-season tour.

"This is a very important signing for us and I'm delighted it's completed so Dejan can join up with us on our US tour," Rodgers said, speaking to Liverpool's official site.

"He is a commanding and powerful presence and clearly has leadership skills, which is important; he fits the profile of player we are looking for.

"He is still relatively young, so his peak years are ahead of him and I believe he will improve and progress even further with us," the former Swansea boss added.

"I'm looking forward to him arriving and working with us as we continue our preparations for the new season," he said.

This is Liverpool's third signing from Southampton following the summer arrivals of Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana.