Liverpool have signed Belgian international striker Christian Benteke from Premier League rivals Aston Villa, the Merseyside club announced on Wednesday.
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 $A50.7 million.
The 24-year-old's 12 goals in as many games at the end of last season played a key role in helping Villa avoid relegation from the lucrative top flight of English football.
Liverpool signed Benteke, who still has two years left on his Villa contract, after off-loading forward Raheem Sterling to Manchester City for a record fee for an English player that could rise to as much as STG49 million ($A102 million).
"I'm very happy to be here and I would like to thank the owners, Ian (Ayre, chief executive who pushed the deal through) and of course the manager (Brendan Rodgers) for their massive effort to bring me here," Benteke told liverpoolfc.com, his new club's website.
"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.
"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'm very happy to be part of the Liverpool family now and I will do everything to make them happy and work hard for them and my teammates.
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