Liverpool sign Divock Origi and striker returns to Lille on loan

Posted Wednesday, July 30, 2014 by skysports.com

Divock Origi: Liverpool sign the Belgian striker from Lille

Liverpool have signed Belgium striker Divock Origi from Lille for a fee of £10million.

Sky sources understand Liverpool wanted the 19-year-old to join them immediately but Lille insisted the player return to the French club on loan for another season.

Origi, who played for Belgium at the World Cup in Brazil, has scored six goals in 35 appearances for the Ligue 1 side.

Arsenal, Tottenham and Atletico Madrid were all linked with the player but he has opted to join Belgium team-mate Simon Mignolet at Anfield and become Brendan Rodgers' sixth summer signing.

Origi told the club's website: "I am very, very happy and delighted a club as big as Liverpool showed interest in me. I'm very excited.

"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 follows Southampton trio Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert and Dejan Lovren, Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Emre Can and Benfica winger Lazar Markovic to Anfield this summer.

And while he will not be part of Brendan Rodgers' plans for the coming campaign the striker cannot wait to be able to make an impression.

"The fact we have a young team and can grow is the most exciting part," he 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."