LIVERPOOL -- Southampton have completed the signing of Liverpool's Danny Ings on an initial season-long loan with an obligation to buy the striker on a permanent deal.
Ings will spend the 2018-19 campaign on loan at Southampton before a £20 million transfer kicks in on July 1, 2019, a source has told ESPN FC.
The source added that the fee will include £18m guaranteed with a further £2m in add-ons based on appearances. Liverpool also have inserted a 20 percent sell-on clause.
The move was confirmed on Thursday evening, having gone down to the wire on transfer deadline day.
Southampton submitted a deal sheet just prior to the Premier League's 5 p.m. deadline, granting them an extra two hours to finalise a switch.
Welcome home, @IngsDanny! 😇 #saintsfc pic.twitter.com/NrvS7yTBal
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) August 9, 2018
Ings, who has signed a four-year contract at St. Mary's, has been desperate for regular game-time after an injury-ravaged spell at Liverpool.
Manager Jurgen Klopp did not want the striker to leave Liverpool, but was understanding of his desire for game-time and willing to sanction a move.
Ings made 25 appearances for Liverpool, scoring on four occasions, following his free transfer from Burnley in July 2015.
The Reds paid up to £8m in compensation due to the player's age at the time of the move.