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Matip to Liverpool

Ross DunbarFebruary 15, 2016

After 16 years at the club, Joel Matip and Schalke have confirmed the defender will join Liverpool at the end of the season. The Cameroon international has made 239 competitive appearances for the Royal Blues.

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Deutschland Joel Matip Fußballspieler
Image: picture alliance/Promediafoto/M. Deines

Schalke have confirmed defender Joel Matip will leave the club at the end of the season and team up with former Borussia Dortmund coach Jürgen Klopp at Liverpool.

"We have had many intense discussions with Joel and his agent since May," the club's sporting director, Horst Heldt, said in a statement posted on Schalke's website. "It soon became clear that we could not influence the key factors behind Joel's decision."

The 24-year-old defender will move to Anfield at the end of the season, when his contract expires in June. "Schalke will remain a big family for me," Matip added on Schalke's official website. "I was always proud to play for this great club. Therefore, I will do everything to get the most out of this season."

Matip had previously had offers to switch clubs, but possible moves to Newcastle United and Sunderland broke down in the January transfer window. The defender is set to become Klopp's first signing from the Bundesliga, since he moved to Anfield last October.