Christian Benteke: Liverpool sign striker for £32.5m

Christian Benteke scored 49 goals for Aston Villa

Liverpool have signed Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke for £32.5m.

Benteke becomes the Reds' second most expensive signing ever, and the seventh player the Reds have bought this summer.

Belgium international Benteke scored 49 goals in 101 games for Aston Villa after signing for them in 2012.

He told the Liverpool website: "I'm very happy to be here. I came here to win trophies. I came here to reach some great goals with the team.

Benteke missed the 2014 World Cup in Brazil with an injury but returned to action last October and scored 15 times to help Villa stay in the Premier League and reach the FA Cup final.

Liverpool have also signed forwards Danny Ings from Burnley and Brazil international Roberto Firmino, after selling Raheem Sterling to Manchester City last week for £49m.