Mignolet signs for Liverpool
Liverpool have confirmed the signing of Simon Mignolet from Sunderland
Mignolet played 101 games for Sunderland since he moved to the Stadium of Light from Belgian side Sint-Truiden three years ago for £2m
He kept 11 clean sheets in 40 matches last season for the Black Cats.
"I am delighted that we have been able to sign one of the top goalkeepers in the Barclays Premier League," Brendan Rodgers told liverpoolfc.com
"Simon will join a club that will give him an opportunity to demonstrate and improve his huge talent."
Mignolet is widely regarded as one of the best young stoppers in Europe and has 13 caps for his country.
"Competition can only be a good thing," Simon Mignolet told liverpoolfc.com
"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.
"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."
Delighted, very proud and priviliged to be the first Belgian signing for such a big club @LFC #YNWA Many thanks for all the reactions!
— Simon Mignolet (@SMignolet) June 25, 2013
Also want to thank @SAFCofficial for the three amazing years I had in Sunderland.I will never forget the support I received from all of you!
— Simon Mignolet (@SMignolet) June 25, 2013
Especially the safc supporters!!!
— Simon Mignolet (@SMignolet) June 25, 2013
Head coach Paolo Di Canio told safc.com: “Simon is a fantastic footballer, a fantastic professional and a fantastic lad and I would like to personally thank him for his contribution to the team last season.
“He was crucial to what we achieved and he goes with the very best wishes of everyone at the club.
“I would like to assure our fans that there is a huge amount of work going on behind the scenes.
“Our aim is to build a competitive squad for the new season and this deal will give us further ability to strengthen the side.”