FC Barcelona have completed the signing of Liverpool FC midfielder Javier Mascherano.

The 26-year-old Argentinian international passed a medical and agreed a four-year deal with the Spanish champions, where he was this evening unveiled as the third new signing of the summer after the arrivals of David Villa and Adriano. "This move is a dream come true for me," said Mascherano, who reportedly cost €22m. "I'm both happy and proud to join up with a team that has won everything. I'll bring to this club what I have brought to the others I've played for: sacrifice and an eagerness to help. I hope to adapt to my new surroundings as quickly as possible."

Mascherano, who counts CA River Plate, SC Corinthians and West Ham United FC among his former clubs, moved to Anfield in 2007, reaching the UEFA Champions League final in his first season. The defensive midfielder scored once in 94 Premier League appearances for Liverpool and captained his country to the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals in South Africa having already won two Olympic gold medals.

His new club face Panathinaikos FC, FC Rubin Kazan and FC København in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.