Liverpool FC transfer window round up
Sep 2 2008 by Ian Doyle, Daily Post
RAFAEL BENITEZ has backed Albert Riera to make an immediate impact at Anfield after the winger completed his move from Espanyol.
RAFAEL BENITEZ has backed Albert Riera to make an immediate impact at Anfield after the winger completed his move from Espanyol.
On a busy final day of the transfer window yesterday, Steve Finnan ended his Liverpool career by making the reverse switch to Spain.
And Andriy Voronin followed the full-back out the club by agreeing a season-long loan move to Hertha Berlin, while young Brazilian forward Vitor Flora arrived on a free transfer from Botafogo.
Riera, though, represented the main business of the day for Liverpool, with the 26-year-old finally putting pen to paper on a four-year contract.
Liverpool have negotiated a deal that will see them pay an initial £5.5m fee with Espanyol set to receive a significant slice of any sell-on fee.
Spain international Riera, who can boast Premier League experience having had a spell on loan at Manchester City in 2006, had been pinpointed by Benitez to fill the problematic left wing role.
And a delighted Anfield manager said yesterday: “Riera has the qualities we were looking for. 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.”
The deal for Riera, who will wear the number 11 shirt, was held up temporarily yesterday while Liverpool and Espanyol thrashed out the details of Finnan’s move, which has been dealt as a separate transfer.
The La Liga side swooped for the 32-year-old Republic of Ireland international following the recent departure of right-back Pablo Zabaleta to Manchester City.
Finnan, who has signed a two-year deal at Espanyol, joined Liverpool for £3.5m from Fulham in July 2003 and went on to play 217 games, scoring once against West Bromwich Albion in September 2004.
He was selected by Benitez to start two Champions League finals, a League Cup final, a Uefa Super Cup final and a World Club Championship final but had fallen behind Alvaro Arbeloa and summer signing Philipp Degen in the pecking order at right-back.
Voronin, meanwhile, has taken the opportunity to return to the Bundesliga for the remainder of the season with Hertha Berlin.
The Ukraine international joined Liverpool from German side Bayer Leverkusen 12 months ago but, despite scoring six goals in 27 appearances, has struggled to hold down a regular first-team place.
Voronin featured heavily during pre-season – missing a penalty in the friendly against Berlin in July – but, like Finnan, has not appeared for the first team this campaign.
Benitez yesterday bolstered his reserve team with the signing of Brazilian striker Flora from homeland club Botafogo.
The 18-year-old striker holds an Italian passport and Liverpool therefore sidestepped any work permit issues.
Hungarian goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi has completed a permanent transfer from MTK Hungaria. The reserve team keeper spent last season on loan at Melwood and has signed a two-year deal.
Academy player Astrit Ajdarevic, a member of the 2007 FA Youth Cup-winning team, is on the brink of a move to Bundesliga side Stuttgart having been told earlier this summer he can find a new club.
