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

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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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