Football: Mignolet signs for Liverpool

Belgian international goalkeeper Simon Mignolet became English Premier League side Liverpool‘s fourth signing of the close season on Tuesday when he moved from Sunderland for 9million pounds (US$13.9million).

The 25-year-old, who signed a long-term contract, joins Manchester City‘s veteran defender Kolo Toure, Sevilla’s Luis Alberto and Celta Vigo’s Iago Aspas as manager Brendan Rodgers’ new recruits since a disappointing season saw them fail to qualify for Europe in finishing seventh and without a trophy.

“I am delighted that we have been able to sign one of the top goalkeepers in the Premier League,” Rodgers told the club website.

“Simon will join a club that will give him an opportunity to demonstrate and improve his huge talent.”

Mignolet, who played over 100 games for Sunderland since a £2million move from Belgian side Saint-Truiden in June 2010, could well replace the club’s long-time number one Spaniard Pepe Reina, who has been linked with a move to Spanish champions Barcelona.

Rodgers spending is far from over as he has also declared an interest in highly-rated Sporting Lisbon defender Tiago Ilori, 20, and 24-year-old Armenian midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk.

However, he will face a battle with other clubs to secure the signature of Mkhitaryan, who is valued at 20million pounds.