Divock Origi joins Liverpool before immediately being loaned back to Lille

Reds continues to strengthen after losing Luis Suarez to Real Madrid for £75m

Samuel Stevens
Wednesday 30 July 2014 09:54 BST
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Premier League runners-up Liverpool have completed the protracted signing of Belgium international Divock Origi - but the forward will immediately be loaned back to French club Lille for next season.

The 19-year-old impressed at this summer's World Cup in Brazil but, according to the Reds manager Brendan Rodgers, had been on the the club's radar since he started for the Belgian under-15 side.

Origi is believed to have travelled to the United States to join up with his new colleagues as they tour the country ahead of the new season.

"I am very happy and delighted a club as big as Liverpool showed interest in me. I'm very excited," he told liverpoolfc.com.

"I know it's a club with a great history, great fans and a lot of great players.

"For me, Liverpool is one of the greatest clubs in the world and I'm very excited to be part of this great history.

"I am very proud to sign for the club. I'll give everything for the club, like I did when I was small and did for Lille.

"I'm hoping we can achieve great things together."

Origi joins Southampton trio Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert and Dejan Lovren at Anfield while Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Emre Can and £22m Lazar Markovic also joined earlier in the transfer window.

"The fact we have a young team and can grow is the most exciting part," the 6 ft 1 in attacker added.

"With the coach we have he's a great manager who can handle a young team.

"He's said a lot of good things about Liverpool and told me it's the perfect club for me.

"He was only positive and it was great to be able to talk with him about Liverpool.

"We also have experienced players. I think we can go very far - we have a lot of quality in the group.

"This year I'll have a chance to play at European level, so in the Europa League or Champions League.

"It's important for me to gain a place in the team, improve and be ready for the season after that."

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