Liverpool have made their first signing of the summer by confirming the capture of Kolo Toure from Manchester City once his contract with his current club expires at the end of next month.
The Reds revealed they have agreed a deal in principle with the former Arsenal defender, who will join Anfield on July 1 when he becomes a free agent.
The Ivory Coast international passed his medical on Tuesday and will sign a two-year contract with the club once the move can be officially completed.
"Liverpool Football Club can today (Tuesday) announce they have agreed a deal in principle with Kolo Toure to join the club on July 1," the club said in a statement on their website.
"The powerful defender will be registered as a Reds player when his current deal with Manchester City expires."
Toure was linked with a move to Liverpool a week or so ago, with reports suggesting a deal was in the works, and it will come as a relief to Brendan Rodgers now that the signing has been as good as completed.
The Liverpool manager is desperate to add experience and steel to his squad, something that Toure, a member of the Arsenal "Invincibles" squad definitely brings.
Toure will be seen as an ideal replacement for the retired Jamie Carragher in terms of experience, but the Reds are still in the market for another central defender with the futures of Martin Skrtel and Sebastian Coates undecided.
Skrtel recently admitted he would be open to a move if he were to receive a good offer, while Rodgers revealed he would hold talks with Coates over the young defender's Liverpool future.
Liverpool have been heavily linked with a move for Schalke defender Kyriakos Papadopoulos while there have also been reports of the club signing Reading center-back Alex Pearce on a free transfer. The former is understood to be the Reds' priority target for the summer in the defensive department.
Ashley Williams of Swansea is also an option, but it is believed the Reds have been put off by the asking price with Arsenal thought to be heading the chase for the Welsh international.
