July 13, 2007
RYAN BABEL became an instant millionaire the second he put pen to paper on his Liverpool contract.
The Ajax hitman completed his Anfield move yesterday, with the clubs eventually agreeing a compromise fee that could reach up to £12million.
And that figure will see the Dutch star net almost £3m — even before he picks up a penny in wages on his five-year deal.
Babel, 20, had an agreement with Ajax that saw him collect half of any transfer fee over and above £6m.
With the figure set to ultimately reach around double that, he was laughing all the way to the bank as he completed the formalities.
Babel follows club record £21.5m hotshot Fernando Torres, West Ham midfielder Yossi Benayoun, Bayer Leverkusen free Andriy Voronin and Brazilian rookie Lukas Leiva into Anfield.
Gabriel Heinze will complete boss Rafa Benitez’s summer dealings, if the Manchester United defender completes a £5m switch after Argentina’s Copa America showdown with Brazil.
Benayoun, 27, becomes the third Israeli to play for Liverpool, after Avi Cohen and Ronny Rosenthal.
And Cohen, who spent two seasons at Anfield, reckons the Hammers star will be a huge hit on Merseyside.
He said: “This is the chance for Yossi to become a big name around the world.
“He played very well for West Ham and has already shown he has got the ability and talent to perform at the highest level.
“Yossi’s so skilful and clever and very good at being able to spot the right pass to play. Liverpool have been looking for someone like him and I’m sure he will be a great success.
“He can play as a striker or out wide and I think he will suit Liverpool’s style very well.”
On another day of good news for Liverpool fans, right-back Steve Finnan became the latest of the current stars to pledge his future to the club.
Finnan, 31, is poised to sign a two-year deal with the option of a further 12 months. He follows Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Pepe Reina, Xabi Alonso and Momo Sissoko, who have also signed long-term contracts.
Yet Jerzy Dudek’s six-year Anfield stay is officially over, after he completed his free transfer move to Real Madrid. Dudek, targeted by Bolton and Manchester City, wanted regular action, but a change of mind has seen him go to the Bernabeu as back-up to Iker Casillas.
RYAN BABEL became an instant millionaire the second he put pen to paper on his Liverpool contract.
The Ajax hitman completed his Anfield move yesterday, with the clubs eventually agreeing a compromise fee that could reach up to £12million.
And that figure will see the Dutch star net almost £3m — even before he picks up a penny in wages on his five-year deal.
Babel, 20, had an agreement with Ajax that saw him collect half of any transfer fee over and above £6m.
With the figure set to ultimately reach around double that, he was laughing all the way to the bank as he completed the formalities.
Babel follows club record £21.5m hotshot Fernando Torres, West Ham midfielder Yossi Benayoun, Bayer Leverkusen free Andriy Voronin and Brazilian rookie Lukas Leiva into Anfield.
Gabriel Heinze will complete boss Rafa Benitez’s summer dealings, if the Manchester United defender completes a £5m switch after Argentina’s Copa America showdown with Brazil.
Benayoun, 27, becomes the third Israeli to play for Liverpool, after Avi Cohen and Ronny Rosenthal.
And Cohen, who spent two seasons at Anfield, reckons the Hammers star will be a huge hit on Merseyside.
He said: “This is the chance for Yossi to become a big name around the world.
“He played very well for West Ham and has already shown he has got the ability and talent to perform at the highest level.
“Yossi’s so skilful and clever and very good at being able to spot the right pass to play. Liverpool have been looking for someone like him and I’m sure he will be a great success.
“He can play as a striker or out wide and I think he will suit Liverpool’s style very well.”
On another day of good news for Liverpool fans, right-back Steve Finnan became the latest of the current stars to pledge his future to the club.
Finnan, 31, is poised to sign a two-year deal with the option of a further 12 months. He follows Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Pepe Reina, Xabi Alonso and Momo Sissoko, who have also signed long-term contracts.
Yet Jerzy Dudek’s six-year Anfield stay is officially over, after he completed his free transfer move to Real Madrid. Dudek, targeted by Bolton and Manchester City, wanted regular action, but a change of mind has seen him go to the Bernabeu as back-up to Iker Casillas.