I'm here to win trophies, says Christian Benteke after completing Liverpool switch
New Liverpool signing Christian Benteke has outlined his determination to win trophies after completing a £32.5m transfer from Aston Villa.
The Belgium international became the club's second-most expensive acquisition after £35m Andy Carroll when a deal, which will see the Reds pay £16m up front and the remainder over the duration of his five-year contract, was completed late last night.
He will not meet up with most of his new team-mates until they return after Friday's match against a Malaysia XI in Kuala Lumpur.
The 24-year-old already knows a couple of them, goalkeeper Simon Mignolet and Divock Origi, from the national team and believes the summer recruitment has given the Reds a chance of winning silverware.
New signing @bentekechris20 is delighted to join #LFC. Watch his full interview on LFCTV GO: http://t.co/TiGcigpq29https://t.co/T5pZ9MTP7U
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 22, 2015
"I think there are quality players, a lot of good players with big names of course," said Benteke, who became the club's seventh signing of the close season, taking their spending past £80m.
"I'm happy to be part of this team and will [try] to help this team reach its goals.
"I want to be the best and I want to reach the best of myself.
"I came here to win trophies. I came here to reach some great goals with the team."
Read the full story on @bentekechris20 signing a long-term #LFC contract here: http://t.co/1eZUwnnGEm #BentekeLFC pic.twitter.com/LMZHB7ytZK
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 22, 2015
Benteke was manager Brendan Rodgers' priority target this summer and his arrival represents significant support from owners Fenway Sports Group, whose robust end-of-year review resulted in the departures of assistant manager Colin Pascoe and first-team coach Mike Marsh.
He hopes Benteke will consistently give him goals over regular appearances after last season's frustrations with Daniel Sturridge, who missed almost six months with injury.
The 24-year-old signed his contract with #LFC today after successfully completing a medical #BentekeLFC pic.twitter.com/b4rPKFqEhH
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 22, 2015
The pursuit of the Belgian was a lengthy one, however, as the club were not initially prepared to meet the striker's buy-out clause but - following the sale of Raheem Sterling to Manchester City in £49m deal last week - there was a change of heart.
Chief executive Ian Ayre, who is currently with the first-team squad on their tour, worked through the night while they were in Australia last week to negotiate an acceptable payment strategy after triggering the release clause.
#LFC are delighted to confirm the signing of Belgian striker @bentekechris20 from @AVFCOfficial #BentekeLFC pic.twitter.com/QODMLLUGhn
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 22, 2015
"I'm very happy to be here and I would like to thank the owners, Ian (Ayre, chief executive who pushed the deal through) and of course the manager for their massive effort to bring me here," Benteke told liverpoolfc.com.
"I think it was the right club for me because I had a good chat with the manager and I wanted to be part of his project.
"I know Liverpool is a big story. They've won league titles and the Champions League five times and of course the UEFA Cup and a lot of trophies. I know it's a big club.
"I'm very happy to be part of the Liverpool family now and I will do everything to make them happy and work hard for them and my team-mates."
