Oxlade-Chamberlain joins Liverpool from Arsenal

LONDON – 31 August 2017 – Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain became the second England international to leave Arsenal in two days when he joined Premier League rivals Liverpool for a reported 40 million pounds on Thursday.

The 24-year-old midfielder, who made 132 Premier League appearances for the Gunners since joining from Southampton in 2011, agreed a long-term contract, Liverpool said in a statement on their website on transfer deadline day.

On Wednesday, Arsenal's 27-year-old left back Kieran Gibbs joined West Bromwich Albion on a four-year deal.

Liverpool have beaten off champions Chelsea to land Oxlade-Chamberlain, who becomes manager Juergen Klopp's fourth major signing of the summer.

Oxlade-Chamberlain underwent a medical on Wednesday at England's St George's Park training camp where the squad are preparing for World Cup qualifiers against Malta and Slovakia.

"Firstly, I'm delighted to have signed for Liverpool and a big thank you to everyone here at the FA that has made this possible, using the facilities. It has been a massive help," Oxlade-Chamberlain told the Liverpool website.

"...I'm here with England and we've got two big games coming up, so I want to focus on them. But I can't wait to get to (Liverpool's training ground) Melwood," added the player, who had only one season left on his contract with the north London club.

Oxlade-Chamberlain never completely took off at Arsenal where he was used in a variety of roles, most effectively as right-sided midfielder. He managed only nine league goals.

Liverpool have also signed Mohamed Salah from Roma and Hull City left back Andrew Roberston, and on Wednesday they sealed a deal for RB Leipzig's Guinea midfielder Naby Keita, who will join the Anfield club at the end of the season.