Liverpool goalkeeper Reina set for Bayern

FC Bayern München have reached an agreement with Liverpool FC to sign goalkeeper Pepe Reina.

The 31-year-old, who spent last season on loan at SSC Napoli working under his former Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez, is expected in Bavaria in the coming days to undergo a medical and put pen to paper on a contract with the German champions.

In a statement on the Bayern website, chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said: "Pepe Reina really wanted to join Bayern München. He had other offers, but he wanted this adventure even though he knows there will be a No1 in front of him in Manuel Neuer who, provided nothing untoward happens, will always stay the No1."

With third-choice Lukas Raeder having joined Vitória FC, Bayern were looking to add another understudy to their goalkeeping ranks besides Tom Starke. "It was our aim to do something in that position, to be ready for every possibility," added Rummenigge.

The move will end Spanish international Reina's nine-year association with Liverpool, for whom he made 285 top-flight appearances, won the FA Cup in 2006 and featured in the 2007 UEFA Champions League final loss to AC Milan. Formerly of Villarreal CF, Reina was a team-mate of Bayern coach Josep Guardiola at FC Barcelona, where he started his career, in the 2000/01 campaign.