Liverpool FC have confirmed the signing of 25-year-old Southampton defender Dejan Lovren for a fee in the region of £20 million.

The Croat, who made 31 appearances for the Saints last season, put pen to paper on a 5-year deal at Melwood today, having completed his medical. Lovren has also previously played for GNK Dinamo Zagreb and Olympique Lyonnais, where he won the Coupe de France.

Although born in Yugoslavia, (present-day Bosnia and Herzegovina) Lovren has represented Croatia at many levels and has been a full international since 2009. He has gone on to make more than 25 appearances and score two goals for his country, as well as being selected for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

He joins fellow former Saints Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana at Anfield after playing alongside the duo at St. Mary's last season, guiding the side to a record 8th place finish.

Upon finalising his Anfield move, the centre-back told Liverpoolfc.com: "It's a dream come true. I'm happy and glad to be here. I'm proud and can't wait to start. I know we have millions and millions of supporters - Liverpool is more than a club.

"After I played at Anfield last season, I said to myself: 'One day I hope I'll be able to play here for Liverpool'. The fans will know from the first minute that I'm a player that will give 100 per cent on the pitch."

Red's boss Brendan Rodgers was certainly delighted with his coup: "He is very commanding and has great leadership qualities. He's a front foot defender. He's aggressive, he goes and attacks the ball," the Reds boss said.

"He's a good character and he can play. But first and foremost a defender has to be able to defend and he can defend."

Rodgers has spent the whole summer in pursuit of the Saints defender, and believes his patience is justified because he will make a massive difference.

"We need to be better. The attacking side has nothing to do with the team conceding stupid goals," he added. "We conceded a lot of poor goals due to bad individual mistakes. That is something that leadership can certainly help with."

Lovren is likely to join up with Liverpool in Charlotte this week, for the last leg of their American tour.