Liverpool have completed the signing of Mainz goalkeeper Loris Karius for £4.7 million, with the 22-year-old signing a long-term deal.
The German asked for and was given the No. 1 shirt after current first-choice Simon Mignolet, who wears No. 22, and manager Jurgen Klopp agreed he could have it.
Karius, who PA sources have said signed a five-year deal, will provide much-needed competition for Mignolet, whose position has not been threatened since arriving three years ago despite a number of unconvincing performances.
Loris Karius has been allocated the No.1 jersey at #LFC: https://t.co/GMEcaENLSe #KariusLFC pic.twitter.com/HGZt9e4bef
- Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 24, 2016
The goalkeeper is Klopp's third signing since taking over in October. Ther German also secured deals in January for Schalke centre-back Joel Matip and Red Star Belgrade midfielder Marko Grujic to join this summer.
"It's a very good feeling and it's an honour to play for a club like this,'' Karius told liverpoolfc.com. "I know a lot about the club from watching them on TV. The history, everybody who plays football knows. There are 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.''
And Karius said he would be ready from day one to compete for the top spot with Mignolet, after coming off a successful campaign with Mainz.
"I wouldn't make the move otherwise if I thought I was just going to sit on the bench,'' Karius said. "I want to play and I feel like I will be able to do that if I do well in training and preseason and the preseason games.
"I'm confident. I've played almost 100 league games in Germany, so I'm young but I'm experienced. I'm not afraid of anything.
"I want to be in goal and play for Liverpool every week and then win a trophy with the club, that's what everyone wants. I want to do my part and help.''
Former Borussia Dortmund boss Klopp has returned to Germany, and indeed one of his former clubs, for the second time to bolster his squad.
"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,'' Klopp said. "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 preseason.''
Next on Liverpool's list of targets is Leicester left-back Ben Chilwell, for whom they are prepared to offer £4m up front with some add-ons.
The 19-year-old had a spell at Huddersfield, coincidentally where one of Klopp's best friends David Wagner is in charge, before returning to the King Power Stadium where he played just two FA Cup matches in January as he could not displace Christian Fuchs from the title-winning Foxes side.
Klopp is in need of reinforcements in defence as left-back Alberto Moreno's inconsistent season, which concluded with a dreadful performance in last week's Europa League final defeat to Sevilla, has put his long-term future in doubt.
Martin Skrtel looks set to depart with Turkish side Besiktas currently leading the race for the £6m centre-back.
Kolo Toure, whose current deal expires next month, could yet earn a new short-term contract should Mamadou Sakho's failed drugs test lead to a lengthy ban.
However, promising Spanish midfielder Sergi Canos, who impressed on loan at Brentford this season and was handed his Liverpool debut in their penultimate match of the campaign, seems destined to leave this summer.
The £4m-rated 19-year-old has told the club he wants to leave after contract negotiations hit an impasse. While there has been considerable interest from clubs in Portugal, the player is keen for a permanent move to London, with Watford and QPR potential destinations.