Liverpool complete $50million transfer of French defender Ibrahima Konate

Liverpool Football Club have reached an agreement for the transfer of Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig. The 22-year-old defender has agreed a five-year contract after the Anfield club triggered the Frenchman’s release clause by offering $50 million to the German side.

Konate will move to England after four seasons in the Bundesliga with Leipzig, where he made 95 appearances and scored four goals. He also clocked up eight runouts in the Champions League with the German club.

“I’m really happy to be joining such a massive club like Liverpool. It’s a really exciting moment for my family and me and I am looking forward to meeting my new teammates, the staff and getting started on this new chapter. My focus is on the U21 European Championships with France, but after this competition, I know I will be joining one of the best teams in the world, which gives me a great feeling. I have worked very hard for many years to get to this point.”

Despite a hip injury that kept him out for a few months last season, the Parisian showed great potential. He is tall and strong with great pace and has improved a lot with the ball and his tactical awareness while working with Julian Nagelsmann at Leipzig. Jurgen Klopp is a huge fan and wants him to partner Virgil van Dijk next season.

Konate has formed a solid partnership with Dayot Upamecano at RB Leipzig in recent seasons. Upamecano was originally targeted by Liverpool and Manchester United before his move to Bayern Munich was announced in February.

Before switching to Die Roten Bullen, the centre-back made his breakthrough into senior football at Sochaux after graduating through their academy. Konate is currently with France’s U21 squad for the UEFA European Championships. To date, he has 12 caps for his country at that level.