Liverpool to sign defender Joel Matip from Schalke on a free transfer in the summer

Liverpool will sign defender Joel Matip when his contract with current club Schalke expires in the summer, the German club have confirmed.

Matip, 24, has long been linked with a move to Anfield - with Reds manager Jurgen Klopp known to be an admirer of the Cameroon international.

And Schalke have now confirmed that the centre-back will depart the club when his contract expires in the summer, with Liverpool snapping up the player on a free transfer.

"His decision is nothing against Schalke," club general manager Horst Heldt told reporters. "He wants to try something new."

The Bochum-born defender can play across the backline and even in midfield if required, and will add athleticism and discipline to a backline that has struggled for much of the current campaign.

Last week Schalke secured a contract extension for Matip's centre-back partner Benedikt Howedes, amid reported interest from a number of European clubs.

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