Finnan kicks off Reds' summer signings
Liverpool started their summer spending spree today by confirming the signing of Irish full-back Steve Finnan.
The 27-year-old has been a long-term target for Gerard Houllier and will become a Liverpool player at the end of this month.
Finnan’s arrival from Fulham is the first stage of Houllier’s rebuilding plans after Liverpool’s failure to clinch a place in the Champions League.
Anfield chief executive Rick Parry said: “We have agreed terms with both the club and the player and plan to complete the transfer at the end of this month.
“Steve is a very talented player who we were eager to bring to Anfield.
“We are pleased he has agreed to join us and look forward to seeing him in action next season.
“As an attacking full-back he offers something we have been looking for in the squad, and his qualities will provide that extra bit of width we feel we need.”
Finnan, 27, played more than 200 games for Fulham and has 22 Irish caps.
The Limerick-born star started his career with non-league Welling and was snapped up by Birmingham before being sold to Notts County in 1997, having played just 15 games for the midlanders.
Liverpool are believed to have beaten Manchester United to sign Finnan, who will link up with Christian Damiano – the one-time assistant manager at Fulham set to become first-team coach at Anfield for next season.
The arrival of Finnan will put pressure on Jamie Carragher.
The England player has the versatility to be used elsewhere on the pitch but nonetheless admitted: “I’m not kidding myself – Steve Finnan won’t be sitting on the bench.
“But Liverpool are a big club, and if they think this is an area that needs improving it’s up to them.
“But if I were to get injured it is no disrespect to the players here to say I don’t know who would come in.”
Carragher will not be giving up his place to anyone without a fight.
“There have been a few defenders who have come and left because I have been in their position – and there have been bigger names than Steve Finnan,” he said.
Parry is happy to have more than one player hoping to fill the same position.
“It’s all about competition for places at a club like ours,” he said.
“Over the years Jamie has fought off competition from many players, and I’m sure he’ll be as determined as ever to do so again.”
