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Liverpool complete Carvalho EPL signing

Staff WritersPress Association
Liverpool have wasted no time replacing Divock Origi, signing teenager Fabio Carvalho from Fulham.
Camera IconLiverpool have wasted no time replacing Divock Origi, signing teenager Fabio Carvalho from Fulham. Credit: EPA

Liverpool have finally completed the signing of Fulham forward Fabio Carvalho, having failed in a bid to bring the teenager to Anfield in January.

The former England youth international who now represents Portugal, is understood to have signed a five-year contract.

"Liverpool FC can confirm Fabio Carvalho will join the club this summer," the club said in a statement.

"The 19-year-old forward will officially complete a switch to the Reds on July 1."

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Carvalho, out of contract this summer, was set for a move four months ago on deadline day when a PS5million ($A8.8m) deal was agreed with the Championship winners but the transfer window closed without a medical and formal paperwork being concluded.

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However, with a number of overseas clubs starting to show interest post-January, Liverpool were keen to avoid being dragged into an auction for the player when his contract expired.

Therefore they subsequently agreed that in addition to the initial fee they would pay a further PS2.7m ($A4.8m) in add-ons and attach a 20 per cent sell-on clause to secure the player's future ahead of the end of the season.

Reds manager Juergen Klopp is understood to highly value the player's versatility, skill set and personality and his status as a home-grown player is an important factor as Liverpool look to freshen up an ageing squad.

The arrival of Carvalho, who scored 10 goals in 36 league matches this season, will help replenish a forward line which is losing Divock Origi.

The Belgium international has not played enough matches to trigger a contract extension and was given a farewell at Anfield after the 3-1 victory over Wolves, which he missed with a muscle strain.

"Div is definitely out for the (Champions League) final because he (got) injured in the last second of the last session (on Saturday)," Klopp said.

Liverpool are sweating on the fitness of midfielder Thiago Alcantara, who was forced off late in the first half with an injury which makes him a doubt to face Real Madrid in Paris.

Key defender Virgil Van Dijk, fellow centre-back Joe Gomez, and midfielder Fabinho, are expected to return to the squad after sitting out the Wolves game.

With Reuters.

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