Liverpool confirms signing of Loris Karius from Mainz

Jurgen Klopp is reaching into the pockets of one of his former clubs.

On Tuesday, Liverpool confirmed that a deal has been reached to sign Loris Karius from FSV Mainz 05, as the German 'keeper has agreed to a long-term contract with the Reds after completing a medical with the Merseyside club Tuesday.

According to Simon Peach of the Press Association, Liverpool paid £4.7 million to acquire Karius, who appeared in all 34 of Mainz's Bundesliga fixtures last season and tallied nine clean sheets to help the German club to a sixth-place finish that saw Martin Schmidt's side qualify for the 2016-17 Europa League's group stage.

"It's a very good feeling and it's an honour to play for a club like this," Karius said, according to James Carroll of LiverpoolFC.com. "They have a special history and the fans are amazing here, so I look forward to playing at Anfield. I know a lot about the club from watching them on TV. The history, everybody who plays football knows. There a lot of things in my head when I think of this club.

"I spoke to the manager and I had a good feeling afterwards because he told me what he wants to do with the club and the players. It was a good talk with him and after that I was convinced this was the right decision."

Klopp reportedly wants to increase the competition for incumbent 'keeper Simon Mignolet for next season, and, since the Belgian shot-stopper wears No. 22, Karius will wear Liverpool's No. 1 shirt, which was left vacant during the 2015-16 campaign following Brad Jones' departure from the Reds.

Of course, Klopp kicked off his managerial career at Mainz, managing the club between 2001 and 2008, during which time he made history by achieving its first-ever promotion to the Bundesliga.

"I am delighted we have signed Loris, he has had a fantastic season with Mainz and has developed into a very good goalkeeper since his return to Germany," Klopp said. "I am really pleased that we were able to move so quickly to get him and that Loris has shown such a desire to come to Liverpool with a lot of other clubs interested in him.

"I know he will add to the quality we have in this position and I look forward to working with him and all our players when we return for pre-season."

Liverpool's signing of Karius marks the Reds' third since Klopp arrived at Anfield in October, as the club signed Joel Matip from FC Schalke 04 and Marko Grujic from Red Star Belgrade in January.