Liverpool have confirmed the signing of RB Leipzig defender Ibrahima Konate on a long-term contract.
The Reds triggered the centre-back's £36m release clause and he will officially become a Liverpool player when the transfer window reopens on July 1.
The 22-year-old, who is currently away with the France Under-21s team ahead of their European Championship quarter-final, is understood to have put pen to paper on a five-year deal which will keep him at Anfield until 2026.
"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," Konate told the club's official website.
"Right now, my focus is on the U21 European Championships with France, but after this competition I know I will be joining one of the best teams in the world and that gives me a great feeling.
"I have worked very hard for many years to get to this point, but I would like to say a big thank you to everyone at RB Leipzig and all the people I worked with there – the coaches, my teammates, the staff and especially the fans.
"Your support helped me grow up during my time there and become not only a better player, but a better man and I will always be grateful for it."
Liverpool had made the signing of a new centre-back their top priority for the summer window, having seen Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip all suffer serious injuries throughout the course of the 2020-21 campaign.
Jurgen Klopp brought in Ozan Kabak and Ben Davies to help ease the injury crisis during the January window, but both of those - in addition to makeshift centre-back Jordan Henderson - also ended the campaign with injuries.
Konate's arrival could reduce the likelihood of Liverpool making Kabak's loan move permanent, with Van Dijk, Gomez and Matip all expected to be back fit for the start of next season.
Konate made 94 appearances for RB Leipzig across all competitions, scoring four goals.
Barney Corkhill
