Source: Team_Talk
Raul Meireles makes Reds move
iverpool have confirmed that they have signed Portugal midfielder Raul Meireles from Porto on a four-year deal for a fee of £11.5million.[LNB] Meireles, 27, will add weight to a Reds midfield which was looking worryingly short on numbers thanks to the departures of Javier Mascherano and Alberto Aquilani.[LNB]A statement on Liverpool's website read: "Liverpool have completed the signing of Portuguese midfielder Raul Meireles on a four-year contract.[LNB]"The Reds have paid 14 million euros for the services of the 27-year-old midfielder, who has won four titles with Porto and been capped 38 times by Portugal, including in all four of his country's games in this summer's World Cup."[LNB]Quoted in the Sunday Express, Meireles said: "Roy Hodgson was key to me coming here because he worked so hard to sign me.[LNB]"I am Meireles and not Mascherano and that will be clear to the fans. I hope one day the Liverpool fans will remember me for being successful."[LNB]The signing comes after Liverpool agreed a deal to send Mascherano to Barcelona after the midfielder, whose family could not settle on Merseyside, was reportedly unprepared to play for the club.[LNB]Aquilani also departed for Juventus in a loan deal which brought to an end and underwhelming and injury-hit spell in the city in which he failed adequately to replace Xabi Alonso.[LNB]With Liverpool financially constrained as owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks attempt to sell the club, fans have had to make do with limited arrivals this summer - Christian Poulsen from Juve and Joe Cole on a free transfer from Chelsea being the headline names.[LNB]On the pitch Liverpool have started the season in uninspiring fashion under new boss Roy Hodgson, with last week's 3-0 defeat by Manchester City particularly dispiriting.[LNB]They at least have a Europa League campaign to look forward to after overcoming Trabzonspor this week.[LNB]Meireles, at home in the centre of midfield, is well decorated in Portugal, having claimed four league winner's medals.[LNB]He is an established international and scored in Portugal's 7-0 win over South Korea in South Africa this summer.
