Sunday August 9, 2009
Liverpool seal five-year deal with Aquilani
LIVERPOOL: Liverpool sealed a five-year deal with Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani on Friday after the Italian international passed a medical with the English Premier League giants.
Aquilani, 25, will cost Liverpool £20mil (US$33mil) and is seen as a straight replacement for Xabi Alonso, who joined Real Madrid for £30mil earlier this week.
“Liverpool FC confirmed this evening that Alberto Aquilani has successfully completed a medical and agreed a five-year contract with the club,” said a Liverpool statement.
“The player will now continue his rehabilitation from an ankle operation under the guidance of Liverpool’s medical team and is expected to be fully fit in approximately 4-8 weeks time.”
Aquilani is expected to be at Anfield yesterday when his new team take on Atletico Madrid in the club’s final pre-season friendly before next weekend’s Premier League big kick-off.
Aquilani, who has 11 caps for Italy, will earn a reported around £80,000 a week.
He made just 14 league appearances last season and had surgery on his right ankle in May.
“Alberto is a very good player and I’m delighted we’ve reached agreement with Roma for his transfer,” Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said earlier this week.
“Alberto has a winning mentality and great experience in both Serie A and the Champions League.
“He has long been recognised as a top class talent in Italy, captaining his country at both Under-19 and Under-21 levels before establishing himself in the senior national side.” — AFP
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