OMNISPORT 

Schalke have confirmed defender Joel Matip will join Liverpool on a free transfer at the end of the season.

The Bundesliga club claim to have done all they could to keep him in Gelsenkirchen but the player's desire to experience a different league proved decisive.

Schalke general manager Horst Heldt told the club's official website: "We have since May last year had many intensive discussions with Joel and his advisor. But it was soon clear that we could not influence the factors that were decisive in Joel's decision."

Matip came through the ranks of the Schalke youth academy and has made over 200 appearances in all competitions since making his official debut in November 2009.

The defender has been a key figure for Schalke this campaign, scoring three goals in 21 Bundesliga outings.