LIVERPOOL have completed their first signing of the January transfer window by securing Chelsea forward Daniel Sturridge on a longterm deal.

The Reds have been pursuing the 23-year-old for some time, having first expressed their interest in him back in August, and are believed to have paid in the region of £12m.

“I am humbled and happy to be here,’’ Sturridge said.

‘‘Brendan Rodgers said he sees me here for a long time - and I also see myself here for a long time. I’ve not signed here to play for a couple of years and then move on.

‘‘I’ve signed to be here for as long as possible. It’s a humongous club – for me, one of the biggest in the world - and to have the fans and worldclass players we have here is amazing.’’ Sturridge began his career at Manchester City where, having been top scorer in the 2008 FA Youth Cup triumph, he scored six goals in 32 appearances - although the majority of those were as substitute.

He moved to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2009 where his record improved to 24 goals in 96 games, although he made only 31 Premier League starts in three and a half years.

During that time he also had a loan at Bolton.

At the start of this season he expressed his desire to leave, especially as he has ambitions to improve his chances in the England squad having made his full international debut in November 2011 and represented Great Britain at the Olympics.

Rodgers initially tried to bring Sturridge to Anfield on loan in August but the player wanted a permanent move.

In the intervening period Rodgers has been left low on options in attack, with Andy Carroll’s loan to West Ham and Fabio Borini’s broken foot leaving Luis Suarez as his only fit striker.