The Merseysiders have confirmed they have reached an agreement with both the player and the south coast club.

The Reds have been linked with the defender for a number of weeks while Pompey executive chairman Peter Storrie claimed last week Johnson's former club Chelsea were willing to pay £18m for the 24-year-old.

sparkling form

And a statement from the club said: "Liverpool FC confirmed this evening that they had reached an agreement with Portsmouth Football Club and with Glen Johnson for the transfer of the player to Anfield."

Johnson came through the ranks at West Ham United but made just 14 league appearances before being sold to Chelsea for £6m in July 2003.

He made 35 starts for the Blues before moving to Fratton Park, initially on loan and then for a £4m fee in August 2007.

His sparkling form since then has established him as a regular in the England team under Fabio Capello and has now prompted Rafael Benitez to make the attacking full-back his first major signing of the summer.

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