Premier League - Liverpool complete Dossena deal

Liverpool have completed the signing of Italian full-back Andrea Dossena from Udinese.

The 26-year-old left-back had been expected to make the move to Anfield for some time and after signing Swiss right-back Philipp Degen, Rafael Benitez has made his second acquisition of the summer.

Like Degen, Dossena has signed a four-year deal.

Dossena replaces Norwegian John Arne Riise who left for Roma earlier this summer and joins for an undisclosed fee thought to be around £7 million.

Speaking at the beginning of June when Dossena successfully completed a medical examination at Liverpool, his agent Federico Pastorello revealed Dossena's delight at the move.

"I understand he is the first Italian international to play for Liverpool - a great opportunity for him and he is really happy," Pastorello revealed.

"There were many teams interested in him.

"He was the best left-back in Italy last year, arguably along with the boy [Juan] Vargas at Catania.

"So it was natural that there will be interest in the best left-back in Serie A, but to have the chance to work with a coach like Rafa Benitez was something he could not turn down.

"That was an important aspect of his decision and he cannot wait to get started."

Source : uk.eurosport.yahoo.com