hammer9
13-07-2007, 16:53
BENAYOUN COMPLETES ANFIELD MOVE
West Ham midfielder Yossi Benayoun has completed his move to Liverpool, signing a four-year deal with the Anfield club.
Benayoun completed his protracted transfer by committing himself to the club until 2011.
The two Barclays Premier League clubs spent several weeks haggling over the value of the 27-year-old, who had held off signing a new contract at Upton Park once he learned of Liverpool's interest.
However, a fee - believe
d to be £5million - was finally agreed and the formalities of the deal could then be completed.
Manager Rafael Benitez has been looking to add more creativity to his side and, having sold Luis Garcia, viewed Benayoun as an ideal replacement.
"I first saw him play for Racing Santander in La Liga when he was a really good player, but when he first came to England we were watching to be sure he could adapt to a different style of football," Benitez said of the Israel international.
"It's clear he's done this very well at West Ham. Liverpool fans will remember how he played in the (2006) FA Cup final against us when he was outstanding.
"We thought then this was a player who is capable of stepping up to a higher level."
Benitez revealed that once the player was made aware of Liverpool's interest he needed no persuading to move to Anfield.
"He was offered a big new contract at West Ham and received offers from a lot of other clubs offering him more money but Yossi's message was always the same," Benitez told the club's website.
"He said he was desperate to only join Liverpool because this was his dream. When Rick (Parry, chief executive), the Americans (co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks) and I spoke about the player, we all agreed this is the kind of attitude we and our supporters really like.
"When you have quality players with his ability showing so much passion to play for your club, it's really good for the team."
I missed him :(...good luck Yossi.:thumbup1:
West Ham midfielder Yossi Benayoun has completed his move to Liverpool, signing a four-year deal with the Anfield club.
Benayoun completed his protracted transfer by committing himself to the club until 2011.
The two Barclays Premier League clubs spent several weeks haggling over the value of the 27-year-old, who had held off signing a new contract at Upton Park once he learned of Liverpool's interest.
However, a fee - believe
d to be £5million - was finally agreed and the formalities of the deal could then be completed.
Manager Rafael Benitez has been looking to add more creativity to his side and, having sold Luis Garcia, viewed Benayoun as an ideal replacement.
"I first saw him play for Racing Santander in La Liga when he was a really good player, but when he first came to England we were watching to be sure he could adapt to a different style of football," Benitez said of the Israel international.
"It's clear he's done this very well at West Ham. Liverpool fans will remember how he played in the (2006) FA Cup final against us when he was outstanding.
"We thought then this was a player who is capable of stepping up to a higher level."
Benitez revealed that once the player was made aware of Liverpool's interest he needed no persuading to move to Anfield.
"He was offered a big new contract at West Ham and received offers from a lot of other clubs offering him more money but Yossi's message was always the same," Benitez told the club's website.
"He said he was desperate to only join Liverpool because this was his dream. When Rick (Parry, chief executive), the Americans (co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks) and I spoke about the player, we all agreed this is the kind of attitude we and our supporters really like.
"When you have quality players with his ability showing so much passion to play for your club, it's really good for the team."
I missed him :(...good luck Yossi.:thumbup1: