Liverpool sign defender Klavan from Augsburg

In a joint directive the three football organisations said disrespect towards match officials had to stop

usually well-informed Daily Mail suggests that United Daily Mirror Daily Star LONDON: Liverpool signed defender Ragnar Klavan from Augsburgfor an undisclosed fee, the Premier League club said on Wednesday.

The 30-year-old Estonia international joins the Reds on a “long-term”contract after making more than 120 appearances over four seasons atAugsburg.

“It’s hard to put it into words, because it’s been a dream of minefor 22 years to come to the Premier League and be a part of this amazing club, Liverpool,” Klavan told the club’s website.

“The Premier League is the most attractive league in the world andyou always have amazing players here.

This is the home of football.”

Klavan is the fifth addition to Juergen Klopp’s squad this summerafter Loris Karius, Joel Matip, Sadio Mane and Marko Grujic. The 30-year-old, who has more than 100 caps for Estonia, made 40 appearances for Augsburg last season and offers Liverpool some much-needed defensive cover following the sale of Martin Skrtel to Fenerbahce and the release of Kolo Toure.

Two other Liverpool defenders, Mamadou Sakho and Joe Gomez, are set to miss the start of the season with achilles injuries.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but British media reports indicated that Klavan had cost Liverpool an initial 4.2 million pounds ($5.52 million) and had signed a threeyear contract.

Klavan is Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp’s fifth signing of the close season, following the additions of goalkeeper Loris Karius, central defender Joel Matip, forward Sadio Mane and midfielder Marko Grujic.

“It’s hard to put it into words, because it’s been a dream of mine for 22 years to come to the Premier League and be a part of this amazing club, Liverpool,” Klavan told Liverpool’s website.(www. liverpoolfc.com)