Liverpool agrees to sign Schalke defender Joel Matip at season's end

In the midst of a season where back line injuries have hampered Liverpool, the Merseyside club's defensive core will have a fresh face next season as FC Schalke 04 defender Joel Matip is set to join the Reds.

The Bundesliga outfit confirmed the move Monday, saying the 24-year-old will join Liverpool on a free transfer at the conclusion of the season.

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

Heldt added that the team's efforts to sign Matip to a new contract "were in vain" after multiple discussions to retain the Cameroon international.

"We have held extensive discussions with both the player and his agent since May. It became clear very quickly that certain decisive factors meant we would not be able to influence his decision," Heldt said.

The Premier League outfit also confirmed its agreement to sign the centre-back, who has appeared in all 21 of Schalke's Bundesliga fixtures this term.

Matip outlined the process of making the difficult decision to leave the club he's represented since 2009, and said that a move to another German team was never a consideration.

"I have always said that there is only one reason I would leave Schalke - to experience something completely new," Matip said. "For that reason, I never considered a move to another Bundesliga club. Even though the decision wasn't easy, I am certain that this is the right moment for me to take the next step in my career."