FC Schalke have confirmed that central defender Joel Matip has agreed to join Liverpool on a long-term deal. According to the Bundesliga club, Matip turned their new contract as he wanted to experience something new.
Confirming the news, Schalke released a statement which read: “We have held extensive discussions with both the player and his agent since May. It became clear very quickly that certain decisive factors meant we would not be able to influence his decision,”
The same was confirmed on Schalke’s official twitter account, take a look:
Matip will be Jurgen Klopp’s first bit of meaningful business since taking over the club earlier this season. Klopp has strong ties with Bundesliga clubs and he is expected to dig deep in Germany to build a formidable squad at Anfield next season.
Understandably, Schalke have been left disappointed with Matip’s decision to quit Veltins-Arena at the end of current season. Matip, 24 has come through the ranks at Schalke and made his competitive debut back in 2009.
Matip signs for Liverpool
Since then, Matip has gone on to represent Schalke in over 200 games and has played 27 games for his country Cameron. Matip is regarded as one of the best young defenders in Europe and it is a real coup for Klopp and Co to have signed him on a free transfer.
Unlike many recent transfer, Matip never kept his club in dark and had revealed his intentions of quitting Bundesliga in favor of a new club. He wanted a different experiences and Liverpool came calling at the right time.
Earlier in the season, Matip had said: “I have always said that there is only one reason I would leave Schalke – to experience something completely new. For that reason, I never considered a move to another Bundesliga club. Even though the decision wasn’t easy, I am certain that this is the right moment for me to take the next step in my career,”
Image credit: getty, Quotes credit: Schalke04.ds