One of the Premier League’s best defenders last season, Dejan Lovren has capitalized on his heightened value by moving to Premier League runners-up Liverpool.
The 25-year-old central defender signs a five-year deal. The Daily Mirror reports the deal will earn him $4.4 million per year.
Reportedly for a $34 million fee, Lovren becomes the third player from Southampton to move to Anfield this summer, following Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert. He will apparently join Liverpool in Charlotte for their game against AC Milan.
The fee means Southampton lose a quality player, but made nearly $19 million profit on his sale after purchasing him from Lyon just last summer.
Lovern was part of a Saints defense that allowed just 46 goals all year, sixth in the Premier League. Southampton finished eighth in the league.
The Croatian also represented his country in the 2014 World Cup, playing all 180 minutes of Group A play.
Breaking News: Dejan Lovren has completed his medical & is now an #LFC player! Welcome to Anfield #LovrenLFC pic.twitter.com/gMNFJWuVpJ
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 27, 2014
We can confirm that #SaintsFC has reached an agreement with @LFC over the transfer of @DejanLovren05. pic.twitter.com/t9xdYcq8IM
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) July 27, 2014
Lovren was rated as the 31st best player in the world by Bloomberg Sports this past year after his performance for Southampton, the 2nd-highest defender in the Premier League. However, those defender rankings should be taken with a grain of salt considering the highest rated Premier League defender was Martin Demichelis.
