Liverpool sign Serbia forward Jovanović

Liverpool FC have signed forward Milan Jovanović on a free transfer from R. Standard de Liège.

The 29-year-old has put pen to paper on a three-year deal with the Anfield club, having reportedly agreed a pre-contract deal with Liverpool earlier in the year.

Jovanović, who scored Serbia's winning goal against Germany in the FIFA World Cup group stage in South Africa, said: "It is an honour for me to sign for one of the biggest clubs in football. I cannot wait to start working with the manager and I'm looking forward to joining up with my new team-mates at our Swiss training camp."

The striker, who has eleven goals in 31 games for his country, won two league titles with Standard and was Belgium's player of the year in 2007/08. Nicknamed 'Le Serpent' for his speed and predatory instincts, he registered 52 top-flight goals in 116 outings for Standard, having arrived in Liege from FC Lokomotiv Moskva in 2006.

Jovanović started his career in his native country with FK Vojvodina before, in 2002, leaving the Novi Sad side for Ukraine's FC Shakhtar Donetsk where his appearances were limited. Liverpool, who last week appointed Roy Hodgson as their new manager, begin their UEFA Europa League campaign in the third qualifying round.