Albert Riera signs in at Liverpool
ALBERT Riera has completed his £8m transfer to Liverpool and has signed a four year contract at Anfield.
The Spanish winger signed on the dotted line at this afternoon and has now flown back to his homeland to clear up some personal business.
Riera will return to Merseyside later this week to meet up with his new team mates and is expected to go straight into Rafa Benitez's squad for the visit of Man United a week on Saturday.
The capture of the 26-year-old Spanish international is a welcome boost for Benitez who targeted Riera as soon as Liverpool's move for Gareth Barry broke down.
Liverpool scouts watched Riera in action for Espanyol on several occasions last season and were impressed enough by his performances for the La Liga outfit to recommend him to the Reds boss.
But with Everton also interested in acquiring his services and prepared to pay more for him, Liverpool had to pull out all the stops to secure his signature.
Riera, though, was in no doubt that he saw his future at Anfield rather than Goodison and his agent informed Espanyol that Liverpool were his preferred destination.
Benitez is delighted with his delighted capture who he believes has all the qualities Liverpool currently need.
"Riera has the qualities we were looking for," said the Reds boss.
"He's a left footer who normally plays on the left wing, he's good in the air, strong, powerful and a good crosser of the ball.
"He's the kind of player we have been talking about. He can beat players and get good deliveries into the area for our strikers.
"We've known about him for a long time, since he was at Mallorca and then through his career with Bordeaux, Manchester City and Espanyol.
"He can talk English and of course he knows the Premier League, which is a big bonus. Usually foreign players need time when they go to a new country, but Riera already knows the league and the style of football.
"He also had offers from other English clubs but he said no to them because he wanted to come and play for us. That means a lot to me because it shows the commitment he has to play for Liverpool."
Riera will wear the number 11 shirt.
Meanwhile, as one players arrives at Anfield two are heading through the exit door.
Steve Finnan has joined Espanyol on a two year deal and Andriy Voronin has signed for Hertha Berlin on a one year loan deal.
The Irish international full back was part of Liverpool's Champions League winning side of 2005 but has found himself out of favour in recent months and was recently informed by Benitez that his future lies away from the club he joined for £2m from Fulham five years ago.
Voronin was pursued by a number of European clubs this summer but Hertha Berlin have come up with a loan package which suits all parties and the Ukrainian will ply his trade in the Bundesliga next season.
Older/Newer
« Liverpool FC D-day over Albert Riera | Keeper calamity sees Liverpool lose out »
0 TrackBacks
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Albert Riera signs in at Liverpool. TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.liverpoolbanter.co.uk/cgi-bin/mt421/mt-tb.cgi/25540
When Rick Parry convinced the Liverpool board to drop Dubai international for the American jokers he claimed it was for the good of the club.
Fast forward to 2008. Man City with Arab backing stand on the verge of signing one of the worlds best whilst Liverpool sign one of their rejects. After baulking at the price of a Rolls Royce in Gareth Barry they have bought a fiesta in the form of Riera and there will be no progression in the stadium plans. How is this for the good of the club Parry.
Rick Parry has made Liverpool paupers of the EPL to ensure he received a higher share price and retained some power at Anfield. Leave now Parry you have failed in everything at Liverpool.
Yeah Rick Parry needs to resign. I hope our American owners finally leave aswell. Rumours surfacing again they are talking to DIC. Please god let it be true. We are in serious trouble now that Man City have become the new Chelsea!!!
we a top club not with this board we are behind everton in transfers now what has gone wrong with our great club need help .bampi7
It is worrying the fact that Man City seemed to move so swiftly with the takeover and transfer, while we look like mugs stringing transfers out (ie Barry saga, and Riera seemed to take an age). Others clubs will lose respect for us in our transfer dealings, but more worrying is the situation of the 'Owners' it was destined to fail from the beginning, when LFC were quoted as being a brand, we need a passionate owner who has tha passion for our once mighty club, I say lets get behind DIC and move this club up to the next level where it belongs. YNWA.
How are we behind Everton in the signings table??
They have brought in 3 players for a total cost of £15 million? Those 3 players being Saha, Carlo Nash (both free) and Felani (15 million) from Liege.
We have signed 5 players for a total of £37 million? Those players are Degen (free), Dossena (7 million), Riera (8 million), N'gog (2 million) and Keane (20 million).
Plus we have brought in around about 5/6 youth players with potential.
I think Jim that you should check your facts before you make a comment that is so poorly informed.
By the way I am also unhappy with a couple of our signings this summer - but uneducated "facts" like Jims only make the problem worse.