Liverpool complete the signing of Ibrahima Konaté | OneFootball

Liverpool have completed the signing of central defender Ibrahima Konaté from RB Leipzig.

The Reds are reported to have paid the 22-year-old’s release clause, believed to be worth around €40m.

Konaté has signed a five-year deal at Anfield with manager Jürgen Klopp believing him to be the ideal long-term defensive partner for Virgil van Dijk.

Speaking to the club’s official website, Konaté said: “I’m really happy to be joining such a massive club like Liverpool.

“It’s a really exciting moment for me and my family and I am really looking forward to meeting my new teammates, the staff and getting started on this new chapter.

The centre-back, who can also play right-back, arrived at Leipzig from FC Sochaux in 2017 and made 95 appearances for the club, helping them progress to the Champions League semi-finals in 2020.

Liverpool’s title defence was derailed due to season-ending injuries to Van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joël Matip leading to Klopp having to play Nathaniel Phillips and teenager Rhys Williams at centre-back.

Schalke defender Ozan Kabak arrived on loan in January but the club opted not to make his move from the 2.Bundesliga club permanent.