Riera becomes a Red
Monday, 01 Sep 2008 20:29
Albert Riera signs four-year deal at Liverpool on busy transfer deadline day at Anfield
Liverpool have beaten off competition from
Everton to sign Espanyol winger Albert Riera.
The 26-year-old has signed a four-year contract at Anfield for an undisclosed fee believed to be about £8 million.
Riera had a largely disappointing loan spell in the Premier League with
Manchester City in 2006, but Rafael Benitez has swooped to fill a gap in his squad.
"Riera has the qualities we were looking for," Benitez said of his Spanish compatriot.
"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."
The Riera deal is part of a busy day at Anfield, who have lost Steve Finnan and Andrei Voronin, but gained promising youngsters Vitor Flora and Peter Gulacsi.