Source: Liverpool_Echo
New signing Milan Jovanovic hands Liverpool FC Europa League boost
Milan Jovanovic 300[LNB]MILAN JOVANOVIC said it will be 'an honour' to play for Liverpool as he handed the club a Europa League boost.[LNB]The Serbia international has joined the Reds on a three-year deal and will add another dimension to manager Roy Hodgson's attacking options next season.[LNB]More pressing though is the first leg of Liverpool's Europa League third round qualifier in less than three weeks.[LNB]With Fernando Torres still in South Africa ahead of Sunday's World Cup final, the Spain striker will not be available for the game on July 29.[LNB] Expected to take a three week break following his exertions in South Africa, Torres is also a major doubt for the second leg a week later.[LNB]David Ngog was the only other senior striker at the club prior to Jovanovic's arrival yesterday.[LNB]The former Standard Liege man can play on the left wing or as a striker and could spearhead Liverpool's attack in Europe later this month.[LNB]'It is an honour for me to sign for one of the biggest clubs in football,' said Jovanovic.[LNB]'I cannot wait to start working with the manager and I'm looking forward to joining up with my new team-mates on our Swiss training camp.'[LNB]The 29-year-old has had a short break after playing for Serbia at the World Cup where he scored the winning goal in a 1-0 win over Germany in Group D.[LNB]He has now returned to his homeland and will link up with Hodgson and the Liverpool squad in Switzerland next week.[LNB]Although it was Rafael Benitez who set the wheels in motion on a move for Jovanovic, he becomes the first player to join Liverpool during Hodgson's tenure and is seen as a replacement for Yossi Benayoun who joined Chelsea last week.[LNB]A Belgian Footballer of the Year in the 2007/08 season and 2009 Golden Shoe winner, Jovanovic joins Liverpool on a free transfer after his contract expired on July 1 following four seasons with Liege.[LNB]His nickname is 'the snake' due to his pace and dribbling ability and he is known to have previously attracted the interest of Juventus and Real Madrid among others.[LNB]Meanwhile, Dirk Kuyt has revealed he wants to stay at Liverpool.[LNB]There has been talk of the Dutchman being reunited with former boss Benitez at Inter Milan but Kuyt says he is happy on Merseyside.
