Liverpool have signed Argentine World Cup-winning midfielder Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton in a £55 million ($68 million) swoop.
The 24-year-old has signed a five-year contract with Jurgen Klopp's side.
Mac Allister joined Brighton from Argentinos Juniors in 2019 and played 112 games for The Seagulls, scoring 20 goals.
The playmaker was instrumental in the South Coast club finishing sixth in the Premier League last season to secure European football for the first time in their history.
He has 16 caps for Argentina and was a key figure in central midfield in the team that won the country's Third World Cup in Qatar last year.
He missed the opening defeat by Saudi Arabia but started the next six games as Lionel Scaloni's side went on to clinch the trophy in the final against France.
Mac Allister told the official Liverpool website: “It feels amazing. It’s a dream come true, it’s amazing to be here and I can’t wait to get started.
“I wanted to be in from the first day of preseason, so it’s good that everything is done. I’m looking forward to meeting my teammates.”
Liverpool manager Klopp is looking to rebuild his midfield after a disappointing season in which the Anfield club finished fifth in the Premier League, missing out on Champions League football.
Midfielders James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are all leaving Anfield and the club were priced out of a move to recruit Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham, who is joining Real Madrid for €100 million.
Mac Allister added: “It was a fantastic year for me – the World Cup, what we achieved with Brighton – but now it’s time to think about Liverpool and try to be a better player and a better human being every day.
“Since I won the World Cup, I said that I want to win more trophies and I think that this club will help me to do that – that’s the aim and when you are in a big club like this one, you have to win trophies. So, that’s what I want.
“Since I arrived here, I can see how big this club is – the players we have, the staff, everyone.
“I’m really pleased and looking forward to playing for this club.”
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It's finally his. Getty Images -
Argentina's captain and hero Lionel Messi celebrates with his family after winning the World Cup. AP Photo -
Argentina's goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez won the Golden Glove Award. AP Photo -
Argentina's Lisandro Martinez and his loved ones cherish the moment. Reuters -
Former Argentina player Sergio Aguero celebrates with the team. PA -
Messi also picked up the Best Player Award. EPA -
Messi received the award from Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar. Fifa president Gianni Infantino, left, and French President Emmanuel Macron, right, were also on stage. EPA -
German Pezzella gets his hands on football's biggest prize. Getty Images -
Angel Di Maria, centre, was heroic for Argentina in the final. Getty Images -
Argentina players celebrate Gonzalo Montiel's World Cup-winning penalty. Getty Images -
Lionel Messi scored two goals and secured his first World Cup title. Getty Images -
A penalty shoot-out has to be one of sport's cruelest moments. Getty Images -
It is Argentina's third World Cup triumph. Getty Images -
Tearful players collapsed on the pitch in celebrations. AP Photo -
The South Americans won 4-2 on penalties, after it finished 3-3 in extra time. Getty Images -
Argentina's Lautaro Martinez and Lionel Messi embrace at the final whistle. Reuters -
Heartbreak for the holders at Lusail Stadium. PA -
Montiel celebrates scoring the winning goal. PA -
Some can't watch, others can. AP Photo
