FOLLOWING on from the news we brought you on this site last night, live4liverpool.com can confirm that Liverpool Football Club have completed the signing of Oussama Assaidi from Heerenveen.
The 24 year old winger, who holds dual Moroccan and Dutch nationalities, has put pen to paper on a long term deal with the Anfield club, for a fee believed to be in the region of £2.5 million. After a move to Ajax fell through earlier in the week, Liverpool had a bid accepted and, following a medical performed today at Melwood, the deal has been completed.
Assaidi, who has 22 caps for Morocco having turned down the opportunity to represent Holland, is over the moon to have joined the Reds. Speaking to Liverpoolfc.com, he said:
“I’m very happy to play for this big club. The first time I spoke to the coach I had a good feeling. I had offers from other big clubs but I’ve been waiting for this moment.
“The coach gave me a good feeling. It will be a dream to play with these big players and I hope training will help me to be a good player here. When I watch Liverpool it’s always a good atmosphere, the fans are fantastic and I’m happy to be here.”
Assaidi, who operated mainly in a wide left position for his former club, has electric pace, is strong with both feet and has an eye for goal. A fact borne out by his record of 20 goals in 68 appearances for Heerenveen.
The Moroccan is Brendan Rodgers’ third new signing since taking over the top job at Anfield and the new boss is excited by what Assaidi will bring to the squad.
“We’re delighted with the signing, he’s a young player who has done very well, in particular in the last couple of seasons, in Holland,” said the Northern Irishman.
“He fits our style perfectly, he’s an exciting player who is very good in one versus one situations and I think he’s a player that will excite the crowd.
“We’re not expecting too much too early, he needs time to adapt but we’re delighted he’s chosen to come here over a number of other clubs.
“As I said, I’ll look forward to helping his development and I hope he’ll become a very good part of this club.”
Assaidi will now wear the number 11 shirt vacated by Maxi Rodriguez, whilst at Liverpool.
You can catch Neil on Twitter and on his blog http://itsallinthegameblog.wordpress.com/
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At long long long long LAST – A WINGER – Now I know were on the right tracks – I love the one to one scenario because thats what fans really want to see – Remember – Lidell – callaghan – thompson – heighway – barnes etc etc HOORAY
Please sign victor moses from wigan rodgers
2.5 million for a first choice international laughing all the way to the bank on what other mugs will pay for recent players touted about. a snip no doubt. Cheap and most definately cheerful if he unleashes some trickery for the home crowd suddenly LFC are watchable again. The tiki taka style with ability/flair individuals bought cost effectively so no egos to get in the way of easy on the eye team football. bring it on.
if the videos are anything to go by this guy is electric and if he turns out to be as good as he looks on those videos it will be a fantastic signing by Rogers and he could have just recouped some of the money KK spent last year and the same goes the rest. I still think we need just one more world class finisher but cannot see that happening till we offload some of the rubbish we have and until we are back in the CL. With the type of football Rogers wants to play, we need Agger and Skrtel injury free and in top form so another decent back up is probably more important
Poundland bargain basement.
If the average player now costs 5 million what are we getting?
This guy is even worse than Nabil El-Zahar, and he was s–t!
Alot are saying he’s an international so he must be good, when did Morocco last qualify for the world cup.
Even I would look impressive in a team of full of geriatrics.
Liverpool needs to win every game for all their fans!!!
Brendan Rogers surely is on the track to returning the Reds to CL status. His signings is clear attestation. Success all the way to all happy REDS world over. Let’s back Rogers to suicceed. we can only be POSITIVE
Rodgers please we don,t have no 4 strong midfielder apart from locas alone so pls sign new no 4.
Rodgers please sign new no 4 midfielder we don,t have no 4 apart from lucas alone so something has to be done about it.