It’s official now that Alisson Becker will be playing for Liverpool from this season. The English football club confirmed to have completed the signing the Brazilian goalkeeper from AS Roma.
The 25-year-old has signed a long-term contract with the Reds, and he completed all the formalities of his switch at Melwood, including his medical, on 19 July.
“I’m really happy, it’s a dream come true to wear such a prestigious shirt for a club of this size that is used to always winning,” Liverpoolfc.com quoted the star footballer as saying after the signing.
READ | Alisson Becker confirms Liverpool transfer?
“In terms of my life and my career, it’s a huge step for me being part of this club and this family,” said Alisson, adding: “You can be certain that I’ll give my all.”
Confirming the transfer, Alisson said in a tweet he had spent two beautiful seasons in Rome, and thanked everyone for pushing him to give his best.
Ho trascorso alla Roma due stagioni bellissime: diverse, intense, l’ultima piena di tante soddisfazioni. Le nostre strade oggi si dividono ma io voglio ringraziare tutti: la società, la squadra, a tutti i tifosi della As Roma che mi hanno spinto a lasciare tutto dentro campo…
— Alisson Becker (@Alissonbecker) July 19, 2018
Alisson was Brazil’s No. 1 at the 2018 FIFA World Cup just concluded in Russia. Brazil were knocked out in the quarterfinal.
Earlier, AS Roma sporting director Monchi confirmed on Thursday that Alisson was on the verge of joining Liverpool FC, and said the transfer fee offer from the five-time European champions “was way above the market average”.
READ | Liverpool primed to shatter world record in pursuit of Roma custodian Alisson
According to media reports, Liverpool will pay Roma 75 million euros ($87.1 million) for Alisson, who had joined the Italian outfit for 8 million euros ($9.2 million) in 2016 from Internacional.
Commenting about selling one of their best, Monchi said the offer was too tempting.
“Economic factors are important for the club too, not just sporting factors. The offer was way above the market average — it was very significant. We weighed up the pros and cons and decided to speak to Liverpool in order to come to an agreement.”
With this signing, Liverpool have smashed the record of most expensive goal-keeper signing in the history of club football int he world. Before this, the record signing amount was 53 million euros ($61.5 million), which Juventus paid for Gianlugi Buffon to Parma in 2001.
Alisson was an important player for Roma last season as they reached the 2017-18 Champions League semi-finals. They lost to Liverpool in the semis. Roma also finished third in the Serie A.
(With agency inputs)