Schalke defender Joel Matip is set to join Liverpool on a free transfer this summer.

Liverpool announced the 24-year-old will make the move to Anfield when his current contract with the Bundesliga club expires at the end of the season.

German-born Cameroon international Matip said the opportunity for a 'fundamentally new' experience with a top Premier League club was hard to refuse.

"I have always said that I would only bid goodbye to Schalke to experience something fundamentally new," Matip told Schalke's official website.

"That's why I never considered a switch within the [German] league.

"And even though the decision was definitely not easy, I am convinced that now is the time to make the next step.

"Schalke 04 will always remain a big family to me. I was proud to play for this club. I will give it my all in the upcoming months to get the best results from this season. That's what I owe the fans and the team."