Liverpool transfer latest: Club confirm summer deal to sign Mainz goalkeeper Loris Karius

Liverpool have completed their second signing of the summer window, with confirmation they have now agreed a deal with Mainz for highly rated young goalkeeper Loris Karius. The 22-year-old will officially arrive on 1 July and joins out-of-contract Schalke centre-back Joel Matip at Anfield.

Karius, who made 36 appearances in all competitions for Martin Schmidt's sixth-place side this term, had been expected to complete a transfer this week after widespread reports claimed that the two clubs had settled upon a fee of £4.7m ($6.8m) ahead of a medical. The ex-German youth international, who previously spent two years in the Manchester City academy, will hope to oust Simon Mignolet as Liverpool's first-choice goalkeeper and establish himself ahead of current back-ups Danny Ward and Adam Bogdan.

"It's a very good feeling and it's an honour to play for a club like this," he said in an official statement to confirm the transfer. "They have a special history and the fans are amazing here, so I look forward to playing at Anfield.

"I know a lot about the club from watching them on TV. The history, everybody who plays football knows. There a lot of things in my head when I think of this club. I spoke to the manager and I had a good feeling afterwards because he told me what he wants to do with the club and with the players. It was a good talk with him and after that I was convinced this was the right decision."

Karius is the third player signed by Liverpool since Jurgen Klopp succeeded Brendan Rodgers as manager last October. In January, they completed the £5.1m capture of budding Serbian midfielder Marko Grujic from Red Star Belgrade. He has now returned to Merseyside after immediately being loaned back to Stadion Rajko Mitic and helping his former team to lift their 27th domestic title in fine style.

Reacting to his latest purchase, former Mainz boss Klopp said: "I am delighted we have signed Loris, he has had a fantastic season with Mainz and has developed into a very good goalkeeper since his return to Germany.

"I am really pleased that we were able to move so quickly to get him and that Loris has shown such a desire to come to Liverpool with a lot of other clubs interested in him. I know he will add to the quality we have in this position and I look forward to working with him and all our players when we return for pre-season."