Liverpool signs Brazilian attacking midfielder Roberto Firmino

Liverpool has signed Brazilian attacking midfielder Roberto Firmino from Bundesliga club Hoffenheim.  The 23-year-old joins the Merseyside club on a five-year deal for a transfer fee thought to be in the region of £29 million ($45 million).

Firmino is currently playing for Brazil in the Copa America in Chile and will undergo a medical once the tournament has ended. Since joining Hoffenheim from Brazilian side Figuerense in 2010, Firmino has scored 47 goals in 151 league and cup appearances.

The German club finished eighth in the Bundesliga -- two points behind Borussia Dortmund -- last term, narrowly missing out on qualifying for next season's Europa League. Firmino has also netted four goals in nine games for his country, including the winner in Brazil's 2-1 Copa America victory over Venezuela on Sunday.

He becomes Liverpool's second most expensive signing behind the £35 million ($55 million) they paid Newcastle United for Andy Carroll in January 2011. 

Firmino is the fifth signing Liverpool has made in this transfer window so far after Danny Ings, James Milner, Joe Gomez and Adam Bogdan. Despite an influx of players all eyes remain on the future of talented midfielder Raheem Sterling.

The Reds are thought to be bracing themselves for a third bid from Manchester City for the 20-year-old who turned down the offer of a new contract at the end of last season. Liverpool reportedly rejected a bid of £40 million ($63 million) from the Sky Blues earlier this month.