Liverpool have completed a deal reportedly worth £8.5 million for Internazionale and Brazil attacking midfielder Philippe Coutinho.
The 20-year-old Brazilian has struggled for game-time with Inter in Italy, while he made 16 appearances with Espanyol last year after heading out on loan, but said he was delighted with the move to the Reds.
“I’m feeling very happy, it’s a very important step in my career and I’m expecting to come here and play good football to give my contribution on the pitch,” Coutinho told the club’s websit.
“Liverpool is a great club with great players. We’ve always heard about Liverpool’s history in Brazil.
“They are the club that have been interested in me and that have showed this interest so I know they believe in me and my football.”
Coutinho becomes Liverpool’s second signing during the January transfer window, following on from Daniel Sturridge who joined from Chelsea.
Reds manager director Iain Ayre said: “We’re always delighted when we get the players we go after.
“It has been a successful transfer window for us, coming off the back of acquiring Daniel Sturridge from Chelsea and now Philippe from Inter Milan. I think that bodes well for us for the rest of the season and the future.”