Liverpool transfer news: Adrian signs on free transfer as Simon Mignolet replacement

Former West Ham goalkeeper expected to provide cover for Alisson

Mark Critchley
Northern Football Correspondent
Monday 05 August 2019 10:16 BST
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Transfer deadline day summer 2019: The deals done so far

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Liverpool have signed free agent and former West Ham United goalkeeper Adrian as a replacement for Simon Mignolet.

The 32-year-old Spaniard joins after Mignolet called time on his six-year stay at Anfield, joining Club Brugge in his native Belgium in a £6.4m deal.

Mignolet's departure left Liverpool short of cover for first-choice goalkeeper Alisson, with only untested 20-year-old Caoimhin Kelleher in reserve.

Adrian was released by West Ham this summer and, after making 150 appearances for the east London club, will bring Premier League experience to the role.

“I’m feeling really happy; really happy to be here and to work in this great club and start doing my stuff on the pitch as soon as possible,” he told the club's official website.

“I’m very ambitious, I come here to try to win everything, to try to push Ali from the first minute and to make us better.

“Obviously I want to win titles. I come here to fight for all the competitions. We have many competitions ahead – we’re going to fight for it and try to get them.

“I’m looking forward to playing my first game at Anfield and to win as many games as we can.”

Andy Lonergan, the former Preston North End goalkeeper who trained with Liverpool during their pre-season, is not expected to be offered a contract.

Loris Karius remains on Liverpool's books, though is one year through a two-season loan spell in Turkey with Besiktas.

The deal for Mignolet, which could rise up to £8.2m in bonuses, comes after the former Sunderland goalkeeper made just two appearances last year.

Liverpool were reluctant to let Mignolet go, believing him to be a model professional, but accepted that a switch to Brugge was in the player’s best interests.

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