OFFICIAL: Liverpool Sign England International Joe Cole
The released Chelsea star has signed a contract with Liverpool...
By Stefan Coerts
Jul 19, 2010 2:40:00 PM
Premier League giants Liverpool have confirmed the capture of England international Joe Cole on a free transfer. The attacking midfielder was available on a free transfer after leaving Chelsea earlier this summer.
The Reds have announced on their official website that they've agreed personal terms with Cole and that the gifted midfielder will undergo a medical in the next 48 hours. The highly rated winger will sign a four-year deal with his new club upon completion of the medical.
Cole is Liverpool's second signing of the summer transfer window. The Reds previously secured the services of Serbian international Milan Jovanovic from Belgian outfit Standard Liege on a free transfer.
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Liverpool sign Joe Cole on four-year deal
By Carl Markham, Press Association
Monday, 19 July 2010
The capture of Cole was seen as being a key factor in proving to the likes of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, who have both been linked with departures after a disappointing seventh-placed finish in Rafael Benitez's final season in charge, that Liverpool can still compete for quality signings.
Cole is the second summer arrival at Liverpool after Serbia forward Milan Jovanovic joined following the expiration of his contract with Standard Liege.
Cole will be seen as a direct replacement for Yossi Benayoun, who coincidentally moved to Chelsea for £5.5million earlier this month, and only time will tell who got the better of that exchange.
Hodgson is still on the look-out for a new left-back with Fabio Aurelio having left and Emiliano Insua on the verge of completing his move to Fiorentina.
After that the Liverpool boss will hope to secure commitments from Gerrard and Torres about their futures.
Former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp, whose father Harry was keen on signing Cole for Spurs, said reports the player was holding out for the most lucrative contract were unfair.
"From what I know, compared to other players in the Premier League now, he's not being greedy at all," Redknapp told Sky Sports News.
"He just wants a good deal and rightfully so - he's a free agent and he's worked that situation nicely - but I know he's not asking for anything astronomical, like what is being portrayed in the press.
"He's just looking for the right club and he needs to play football now.
"He missed a lot of time at Chelsea last season with his knee injury and didn't quite get back to the level he showed previously.
"He needs to go somewhere, be loved, and play football and get back to being the Joe Cole we all know."
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