Liverpool have sealed the £35million signing of Arsenal and England midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who joins on a five-year contract reportedly worth £120,000 a week.
The 24-year-old amassed 132 Premier League outings during his six-year stay with the Gunners, making his final appearance for the club in a 4-0 defeat against his new employers.
He told the club website: “I’m currently away with England, so I’m at St George’s Park.
“I’m delighted to have signed for Liverpool and a big thank-you to everyone here at the FA that has made this possible, using the facilities. It has been a massive help.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain, capped 27 times by his country, completed his apprenticeship at Southampton, where he was handed his senior debut as a late substitute during a 5-0 League One win against Huddersfield Town in March 2010.
The 2011 League One Apprentice of the Year nominee then played a significant role in Southampton’s promotion to the Championship the following season before earning a £12m switch to Arsenal, having made 43 appearances in all competitions for the Saints.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said: “I am really, really happy we have got Alex signed. Since the last game I have been waiting and hoping we could make this transfer – and when I got the news he was ours it was fantastic.
“I remember the first time I saw him play live – it was at Dortmund in 2014 and he came on as a sub that day and made a big impact. He stood out immediately because of his pace and skills and his attitude in such a big game for a young player.
“Since then I have followed him and when I heard it may be possible to sign him I didn’t need to think twice.
“I hear a lot of talk about positions but let’s talk about the player; he is someone with really good abilities who always gives everything for his team. A player that is positive and willing to take risks to try and make positive things happen.
“He may still be young but he has a lot of experience in the Premier League, Champions League and for his country. Already he is a very, very good player and I think he has the mentality and desire to get even better – and that excites me.
“This is someone making a tough decision to leave one great club and come to another great club and I think he had many options, so to get him means I am delighted.
“He didn’t make an easy decision but I think he made a great one to go on this journey with this squad of talented boys and our great supporters. I welcome him to the Liverpool family.”
