Soccer:Liverpool have completed the signing of midfielder Jordan Henderson from Sunderland. Henderson has put pen to paper on what the Merseyside club have described as a "long-term deal", having agreed personal terms and visited the Reds' Melwood training complex before undergoing a medical.

The highly-rated 20-year-old has moved for an undisclosed fee, with reports suggesting it could be up to €22.5million.

A statement on Liverpool's official website read: "Liverpool Football Club have completed the signing of Jordan Henderson after the 20-year-old passed a medical and agreed personal terms.

"Henderson travelled to Merseyside after a fee was agreed with Sunderland. He then underwent a medical examination in Liverpool before signing a long-term deal."

Henderson is Liverpool's first signing of the summer and - following the big-money captures of Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez in January - the third high-profile new recruit since Fenway Sports Group's takeover of the club and Kenny Dalglish's return as manager last season.

Henderson won his first senior international cap against France last November and his value has soared over the past year, despite a recent dip in form.

The Sunderland-born player is a product of the Wearsiders' youth academy and he made his Black Cats debut in a 5-0 defeat to Chelsea in November 2008.

In total he has made 79 appearances for the club, scoring five goals, and he also spent a spell on loan at Coventry in the 2008-09 season.

Sunderland had been reluctant to part company with one of their prized assets, but chairman Niall Quinn said Henderson leaves with their blessing.

He is the second key player to depart the Stadium of Light in 2011 after Darren Bent's January move to Aston Villa.