Kyrgiakos tempted by Reds challenge
GREEK international Sotiris Kyrgiakos says joining Liverpool is the biggest challenge of his career.
The Reds yesterday agreed a £1.5m deal for the defender, who only last week committed himself to a four-year contract extension at AEK Athens.
The 30-year-old former Rangers player will undergo a medical at Anfield today with a view to completing his dream move before Monday’s game with Aston Villa.
He said: “Last week I said I was an AEK player for the next four years and meant that. But then I received the biggest challenge of my career. I fully understand it came at the worst possible moment for the team, but the fact that I had the chance to play for Liverpool is a huge challenge.”
Reds boss Rafael Benitez was delighted to welcome the 50-cap centre-back, and believes he will be a valuable member of Liverpool’s title push. The Spaniard is also being linked with a £10m move for Real Madrid’s Dutch midfielder Rafael van der Vaart.
Benitez said: “He is a player with experience who can hopefully help us in defence. He has experience in British football with Rangers. He’s a good player in the air, strong and aggressive. We were looking for a player with experience. He will have the medical this week, it has to be before the weekend.”