Liverpool complete deal for Andy Carroll

Liverpool have completed the club-record signing of Andy Carroll from Newcastle on a five-and-a-half-year contract.

The 22-year-old has moved for a fee believed to be in the region of £35million after passing a medical at the club's Melwood training ground this evening.

Carroll will wear the number nine shirt vacated by Fernando Torres, who is on the verge of completing another record-breaking £50million transfer to Chelsea.

Confirmation of his signing means the Reds' transfer record has been broken twice in the space of a few hours after a £22.8million deal for Ajax forward Luis Suarez was finalised earlier in the evening.

Liverpool made their shock move for Carroll earlier today after accepting Chelsea's offer for Torres, having rejected a £35million bid late last week.

Their first approach, for £30million, was knocked back by the Magpies and although they stalled on the improved offer Carroll put in a transfer request and the club decided to accept.

He then raced over to Merseyside to complete his medical, agree personal terms and sign the paperwork - which was all completed just minutes before the 11pm deadline.