Emre Can joins Liverpool: Anfield club announce signing of Bayer Leverkusen midfielder

Reds agreed a deal in principle for the 20-year-old last month

Liverpool have announced the signing of Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Emre Can (Twitter/Liverpool FC)

Liverpool have announced the £10m signing of Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Emre Can.

Factfile: Who is Emre Can?

The two clubs agreed a deal in principle last month but have today formally signed the 20-year-old. The Reds had to wait until 1 July to register the paperwork for the youngster.

"I want to thank the manager for trusting me and allowing me to play here. I am proud to be a part of the family and I am looking forward to playing here. I will give it my best.," Can said to the club's website.

"Liverpool FC is a great club and the fans are amongst the best in the world. I am looking forward to the first game and can't wait to step on the pitch for the first time at Anfield."

Can becomes Brendan Rodgers' third signing of the summer, joining former Southampton pair Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana.

Rodgers said: "Emre is an exciting young talent and I'm delighted he's chosen Liverpool for the next phase of his development and growth as a player."

"He has recognised that we are a club that improves and nurtures exciting, ambitious players and I'm looking forward to seeing him take those next steps forward for us.

"We have tracked his progress for some time and I have been impressed with his attitude and qualities when I have seen him play both in the German Bundesliga and the Champions League.

"He has many of the attributes we look for; charisma on the football pitch and courage to want the ball and make things happen."

Brendan Rodgers said Can was an 'exciting young talent' (GETTY IMAGES)

The youngster has six caps for Germany Under-21s and has represented the country at every level from U15. He also featured in seven Champions League matches last season.

He added: "Yes, without a doubt [Liverpool can have an impact in the Champions League]. We came second in last year's Premier League season, the best league in the world. We don't have to hide from anybody. We simply need to believe in ourselves and I am very optimistic that we will go far in the Champions League."

Video: Emre Can joins Liverpool

A former Bayern Munich player, he only singed for Bayer at the beginning of last season. Bayern included a buy-back clause in the deal, but were not interested when Liverpool came calling last month.

An talented and combative midfielder who can play in several positions, he has been compared to Michael Ballack and Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Can played in 39 matches in all competitions for Leverkusen last season, scoring four times, as the club finished fourth in the Bundesliga.

Video courtesy of LFCTV