Liverpool have signed highly rated defender Jeremy Jacquet from Stade Rennais on a long-term contract, pending international clearance.

The Premier League champions agreed to pay £60 million for the 20-year-old centre-back, with £55 million guaranteed and £5 million in performance-related add-ons.

Jacquet passed his medical on Deadline Day in February, then went back to Rennes to finish the 2025/26 season. He has now officially joined Liverpool on a five-year contract, with an option for an extra year.

Chelsea matched Liverpool’s offer, but the French defender chose to move to Anfield.

Jacquet suffered a shoulder injury earlier this year, but he has finished his rehab and is now training on his own. He should be ready for the start of Liverpool’s pre-season.

The France youth international will strengthen Liverpool’s defensive options alongside Virgil van Dijk, Giovanni Leoni and Joe Gomez.

Jacquet drew interest from several top European clubs, but Liverpool’s successful signing shows their ongoing focus on bringing in top young talent. He fits the Reds’ recent transfer approach, as the average age of their first-team signings in the last two windows has stayed under 22.