New keeper for Reds
10 Aug 2007 - 16:17:03
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has swooped to sign French goalkeeper Charles-Hubert Itandje after allowing Scott Carson to move to Aston Villa on a season-long loan deal.
The 24-year-old Lens shot-stopper has penned a four-year contract with the Reds after spending six seasons with the French side.
Itandje is expected to provide competition to current first-choice keeper Pepe Reina at Anfield following Jerzy Dudek's departure to Real Madrid earlier this summer.
Benitez said of Carson's loan switch: "I could tell Scott to stay here, but he could be the future keeper of the national team and we don't really want to stop his progress.
"I am happy with the situation and for Scott to play somewhere else. We do not want to lose him, certainly not sell him, because we are very happy with him.
"He is a good lad and a very promising goalkeeper. But I can understand his need to maintain his place in the England squad.
"It will benefit him to be out on loan and for us to sign a new goalkeeper. Then we will have three keepers all in action."