Joel Matip has agreed a pre-contract deal with Liverpool and will join the club from Schalke at the end of the season.The Cameroon international has been aligned with the Reds for much of the past few months, with a Bosman switch having been mooted with his contract winding down.Although Schalke have in that time attempted to keep hold of their man, Matip’s summer move to Liverpool has now been confirmed.And the 24-year-old has revealed that the lure of a new challenge after many years in the Bundesliga was a major factor in his decision:”I have always said that I would only leave Schalke for one reason: to get to know something new,” he is quoted by the Liverpool Echo. “I never even considered a move within the Bundesliga.”Although my decision is definitely not easy, I am convinced that now is the right time to take this step.”Schalke 04 will remain a big family for me. I was always proud to play for this great club.”I will do everything in the next few months to get the most out of this season so I do not feel guilty.”Matip will be the first major addition of Jurgen Klopp’s Anfield reign, with teenage midfielder Marko Grujic and the emergency loan signing of Steven Caulker the only deals to have taken place since the German’s arrival.The Anfield tactician is sure to be aware of the defender’s skills and temperament after witnessing him first hand on a number of occasions when in charge of Dortmund.

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