Liverpool Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of French international defender Mamadou Sakho from Paris Saint-Germain.
The 23-year-old put pen to paper on a long-term contract with the Reds at Melwood after successfully passing a medical at the club's training complex.
After completing his move, Sakho told Liverpoolfc.com: "I'm delighted to be here. I'd like to thank everyone for the welcome.
"I came here because the project that is in place at Liverpool interests me. I'm really looking forward to playing my first game."
Sakho is capable of playing in central defence or at left-back and has made 14 appearances for his country since an international debut against England in November 2010.
After progressing through the French giants' youth academy, the defender made his debut for PSG in 2007 and played a total of 201 games for the capital club.
During more than six years in the first team there, he collected three major trophies - the Ligue 1 title, the Coupe de France and the Coupe de la Ligue - and was named the country's young player of the year at the end of 2010-11.
"I'm really looking forward to cracking on with work and I can't wait to get on the pitch," continued Sakho.
"I know the Liverpool fans are fantastic and while I was in France, it was clear for me to see they are amongst the best in England."
Sakho becomes the Reds' seventh signing of the summer transfer window, joining Luis Alberto, Iago Aspas, Aly Cissokho, Tiago Ilori, Simon Mignolet and Kolo Toure in Brendan Rodgers' squad.
http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/144053-reds-announce-sakho-signing Liverpool's new signing Mamadou Sakho has spoken of his desire to play in the Champions League for the Reds – and his determination to help write a new, successful chapter in the club's history.
The centre-back signed a long-term contract with the club on Monday - and afterwards he sat down for an exclusive interview which LFCTV Online subscribers can watch by clicking play below. If you're not a subscriber, join now from £2.99.
Sakho watched the Reds in Europe from afar growing up in Paris, and their famous triumph of 2005 in Istanbul is an event that will live long in his memory.
"My aim while I am here is to play in the Champions League with Liverpool," he told Liverpoolfc.com. "I remember their teams when they were in the competition when I was younger.
"The Champions League is a tournament that all the great clubs in Europe participate in and that's where we need to get to.
"With the team we have, and the means put at the disposal of the players, the technical support and the whole club and its supporters are in a good position to get there. This is our objective.
"With regards to the history of Liverpool, the thing that struck me most was the victory in the Champions League final when I was very young. I don't remember how old I was but I was very young and I remember this fantastic event, which always impressed me.
"I hope to create a new piece of history with our supporters at Anfield."
Sakho's arrival at Anfield adds to the competition for places at the heart of the Liverpool defence.
And while the 23-year-old already has bags of experience that belie his tender years - he's not fazed by competing with older, more established centre-backs for a place in Brendan Rodgers' side.
"In a large club, having competition is something you expect," said Sakho. "To get the best out of any player, you need to have competition.
"Competition doesn't give me any worries. Competition makes the team grow and makes the club grow because that's the objective and the goal of everyone here.
"I've been at Melwood for a day and it's very good. The training areas are impressive and everything is in place for the players to keep in top condition.
"Everything is adapted for professional sports-people and it really gives a good image of a club like Liverpool."
http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/144055-my-aim-is-champions-league-football