Scottish Premiership side Dundee have completed the signing of French defender Billy Koumetio from Liverpool on a permanent deal for an undisclosed fee.
The 21-year-old bids farewell to the Reds after a five-and-a-half-year spell on Merseyside, having joined the club's academy from US Orleans midway through the 2018-19 campaign.
Koumetio made his first-team debut under Jurgen Klopp in the 2020-21 Champions League, coming off the bench for the final 45 minutes of a 1-1 draw against Danish side FC Midtjylland.
Koumetio subsequently completed another half of an EFL Cup win over Leicester City the following season and made a handful of Premier League squads, but the bulk of his appearances for Liverpool came at youth level.
The former France Under-20 international was loaned out on three occasions during his time with the Reds, also representing Austria Vienna, Dunkerque and Blackburn Rovers, although he played just once for the latter in the second half of last season.
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Koumetio hails former teammate's Dundee experience in Liverpool transfer
Despite the arrival of Arne Slot, a new manager at Anfield was not expected to reignite Koumetio's Liverpool career, and the Frenchman has now joined Dundee on a two-year deal until 2026.
Koumetio's switch to Dundee sees him follow in the footsteps of Owen Beck, who excelled for the club on loan last year with two goals and four assists from 28 matches in all competitions.
"It feels very good to join the club, I am really happy to be here. I believe and have the conviction that this is the best step in my career," the centre-back told the official Dundee website.
"I had discussions with the manager, Liverpool and my agent and once we reached an agreement everything went through. I discussed with the manager how he wants to play and how he wants me to play and how I can improve as a player.
"I spoke with Owen Beck about his time at Dundee and he loved it, everything he said about the club was so positive. All the Liverpool lads all saw how Dundee helped develop Owen. I can't wait to play in front of the Dundee fans, I love the support that the supporters give, they help us so much to play."
Koumetio exit to start Liverpool defensive exodus?
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Koumetio - who will wear the number 20 shirt for Dundee - becomes the fifth notable departure from Liverpool this summer, and the first to be sold on a permanent deal following the free transfers of Adrian, Thiago Alcantara and Joel Matip.
The former France youth international could be one of a handful of Reds defenders to depart before the window closes for business, a list that also includes Sepp van den Berg, who has been heavily involved for Slot's side in pre-season.
The Dutchman has refused to publicly close the door on staying at Liverpool, but he is thought to be reluctant to continue his career at Anfield, as he will not be a first-choice defender next term.
Rhys Williams and Nat Phillips are also expected to seek pastures new, while Joe Gomez's future is being called into serious question amid interest from several European clubs.
Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold have also entered the last 12 months of their deals, but sporting director Richard Hughes is working to tie them down to fresh terms as a matter of priority.
Ben Knapton
