Liverpool sign Ozan Kabak on loan from Schalke

The Reds have an option to buy the Turkish international for £18m

Liverpool have completed the six-month loan signing Ozan Kabak from Schalke.

The 20-year-old, who will wear the No 19 shirt, joins the Premier League champions for an initial £1m fee with the option of an £18million permanent move included.

Liverpool will potentially pay an extra £500,000 on the temporary agreement depending on appearances and Champions League qualification.

The Reds moved to add defensive reinforcements after extensive injuries at the back with Joel Matip and Fabinho recently joining long-term absentees Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez on the sidelines.

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The deadline-day deal was made possible when Shkodran Mustafi terminated his contract with Arsenal to join the German side, enabling Liverpool to push through their own move for the Turkey international.

Kabak had been strongly recommended to Jurgen Klopp by his best friend David Wagner, who managed him at the Veltins-Arena.

Former Schalke sporting director Christian Heidel, who worked with the Liverpool boss at Mainz, also provided a glowing appraisal of the youngster.