Belgian striker Benteke makes move to Liverpool

Liverpool signed Belgian international striker Christian Benteke from Premier League rival Aston Villa, the Merseyside club announced on Wednesday.

Although neither the length of the contract nor the fee were disclosed, several British media organizations said Benteke had signed a five-year deal worth 32.5 million pounds ($50.7 million) - which was the cost of the buy-out clause in his contract.

The 24-year-old's 12 goals in as many games at the business end of last season played a key role in helping Villa avoid relegation from the lucrative top flight of English soccer.