Liverpool sign Thiago Alcantara from Bayern Munich

Liverpool have completed the signing of 29-year-old Spanish midfielder Thiago Alcantara from Bayern Munich on a four-year deal valued at £20 million, rising to £25 million with add-ons. Alcantara was awarded his favourite number 6 jersey, vacated by Dejan Lovren.

“It’s an amazing feeling. I was waiting for this moment for a long time and I am very happy to be here,” the Spanish international said.

This has been one of the longest transfer negotiations of the current window and Alcantara becomes Liverpool’s second signing following the earlier acquisition of Greece left-back Kostas Tsimikas.

Alcantara added: “I must adapt to the team as fast as I can in the situation and the context that we are living right now.

“Everything is more compact and we started a little bit later, but still it is football and I think we have to mix all the big things up, all the good things we have.

“I will help the team in a defensive and offensive [way] and also in a mental aspect.”

Jurgen Klopp expressed delight at the signing.

“Absolutely great – I’m really happy that it finally worked out and we could just do it,” said .

“I know all the people at Bayern wanted to keep him desperately. That’s normal and understandable because he played an important role, in the last season as well.

“He just was ready for a new challenge and he decided for us.”

“When we spoke about all the players, he respects them all massively. He admires them.

“We played against him when we played Munich in the Champions League two years ago, so he knows what kind of machine we can be and he wanted to be part of that.”