Liverpool set to announce defender signing

Joel Matip: Heading for Anfield

Joel Matip: Heading for Anfield

Liverpool are set to announce the signing of Schalke defender Joel Matip on a pre-contract agreement later on Monday.

The Cameroon international’s current contract at the German club comes to an end in the summer and he will move to Anfield on a free transfer.

Matip was a target for Jurgen Klopp in January and reports suggested a deal had been lined up, but Schalke were unwilling to let him go until his contract expired.

The 24-year-old, who is a product of the Bochum academy, has come through the ranks at Schalke and can play as a central defender and full-back as well as in midfield.

Joel Matip

He made his professional debut aged 18 for Schalke’s second team and made his first-team debut a month later in November 2009 when he grabbed headlines by scoring an equaliser against Bayern Munich.

Matip has made 26 appearances for Schalke this term, scoring four goals.

Schalke are also expected to announce the deal at a press conference later on Monday.

“I’ve been at Schalke since 2000, which shows my connection to the club is strong. I feel good and I’m happy to be playing here, where I grew up. That’s why I can imagine myself staying here. But you can’t always stay at home,” said Matip recently.