Liverpool have completed the signing of Manchester city defender Kolo Toure on a free transfer. The defender becomes the fourth signing of the season for Brendan Rodgers, as he attempts to strengthen the team that finished outside the European qualification places. It is four years since Liverpool last played in the Champions League and it is seriously threatening to derail the club from its ambitions. The club has been spending a lot of money on young and talented players as the arrival of Rodgers more than a year ago.
Players like Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge arrived at the club in January, while they have already brought the likes of Simon Mignolet and Luis Alberto. Rodgers recently said that he does not expect the spending spree to stop now because he wants Liverpool to be able to challenge on all fronts. Touré has said that he is extremely delighted to be joining the club of Liverpool’s stature. The 32-year-old was frozen out of the first team in recent months by former manager Mancini, but it was not long ago that he was an established centre back.
Touré was a £ 16 million signing for Manchester city from Arsenal. He is one of the experienced defenders in the Premier league after having joined Arsenal back in 2002.
“This means a lot to me. Firstly, I’m joining one of the best clubs in England. When I left City it was important for me to stay in England because it’s the best league – and to join Liverpool is massive for me. I chose Liverpool because of the history and because of the spirit of the team and the people here,” said Touré.
There have also been several rumoured departures from Liverpool. The future of Pepe Reina and Luis Suarez is still up in the air.