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Simon Mignolet says he can’t wait to get started at Anfield having finally sealed his long-awaited £10m move from Sunderland.

The Belgian goalkeeper passed a medical at Melwood yesterday, and has agreed terms on a long-term contract at Anfield, which the ECHO understands is a five-year deal. The fee for the 24-year-old will be an initial £9m, with a further £1m in performance-related add-ons.

He becomes the Reds’ fourth signing of the summer, and the most expensive keeper in the club’s history.

Mignolet will also be the first Belgian to represent the Reds, and the highly-rated shot-stopper says he is excited about the prospect of a switch to Merseyside.

He said: “It’s something to be proud of – the first Belgian to play for a big club such as Liverpool.

“It’s a big club and when you arrive it’s a big thing. I’m very pleased to be here and I’m looking forward to getting started. The first training session will be very early and I’ll be happy to be there.

“I tried to keep this as quiet as I could because there are a lot of things that have to be finalised before you sign. I kept it quiet because I know my friends and family, they’d get excited.

“But they’re happy and hopefully they can come over for a lot of the games. I think they will be proud.”

Mignolet’s signing will naturally raise question marks over the future of Pepe Reina, with the Spaniard persistently linked with a move away from Anfield of late.

Mignolet said: “Competition can only be a good thing.

“I’ve been in big competitions wherever I’ve been – in Belgium with the national team and in Sunderland with Craig Gordon and Keiren Westwood, who are international goalies. Now it’s the same again with Pepe and with Brad Jones.

“It’s only a good thing, to be competitive and to train as hard as you can, it can only bring the best out of you.

“Pepe is an experienced goalkeeper who has proven a lot over the years. I’m looking forward to working with him, the same as I am with Brad and the goalie coach.

“It’s a challenge but that’s what you want. You want to play in the big games, you want to play for a big club and to play with pressure.

“I’m very confident in myself and I can’t wait to get the first clean sheet under my belt.

“I’ve never been a nervous person. I’m quite confident in my own abilities.”

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He added: “I’ve spoken to Brendan Rodgers a few times already and I’m very pleased. He is very ambitious, like I am.

“Let’s hope we can win a lot of games and finish as high up the table as we can.”

Mignolet admits his first moments in a Liverpool shirt are likely to be nervy, but says he is looking forward to stepping out at Anfield.

“Even as an away goalkeeper they always applaud you when you run to the Kop,” he said.

“I know they appreciate their goalies and hopefully they will appreciate me as a home keeper. I really can’t wait to play in front of them and win matches in front of them.

“I think it will be very special the first moment I step onto the pitch. The first couple of moments I’ll be nervous but I’m sure the fans will get me over that. Hopefully we can keep a lot of clean sheets and get a lot of points. That’s what I’m here for.

“I know they’re very passionate about their club and I know they love and support their goalies, so hopefully they can be behind me and hopefully we can enjoy a lot of wins and trophies together.”

Reds boss Brendan Rodgers said: “I am delighted that we have been able to sign one of the top goalkeepers in the Barclays Premier League.

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

* Re-read out Simon Mignolet web chat with Sunderland expert Mark Douglas