FOOTBALL

Roma's Aquilani seals move to Liverpool

Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani has completed his move to Liverpool after passing a medical. The arrival of the Italian international, who signed a five-year deal with the Reds, follows the departure to Madrid of Spaniard Xabi Alonso.

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AFP - 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 20 million pounds (33 million dollars) and is seen as a straight replacement for Xabi Alonso, who joined Real Madrid for 30 million pounds 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 on Saturday where 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 will earn a reported around 80,000 pounds a week.

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