Aquilani seals L'pool switch

Alberto Aquilani

Liverpool sealed a five-year deal with Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani on Friday after the Italian international passed a medical with the English Premier League giants.
Aquilani, 25, will cost Liverpool 20 million pounds (33 million dollars) and is seen as a straight replacement for Xabi Alonso, who joined Real Madrid for 30 million pounds earlier this week.
"Liverpool FC confirmed this evening that Alberto Aquilani has successfully completed a medical and agreed a five-year contract with the club," said a Liverpool statement.
"The player will now continue his rehabilitation from an ankle operation under the guidance of Liverpool's medical team and is expected to be fully fit in approximately 4-8 weeks time."
Aquilani is expected to be at Anfield on Saturday where his new team take on Atletico Madrid in the club's final pre-season friendly before next weekend's Premier League big kick-off.
Aquilani, who has 11 caps for Italy, will earn a reported around 80,000 pounds a week.
He made just 14 league appearances last season and had surgery on his right ankle in May.
"Alberto is a very good player and I'm delighted we've reached agreement with Roma for his transfer," Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said earlier this week.
"Alberto has a winning mentality and great experience in both Serie A and the Champions League.
"He has long been recognised as a top class talent in Italy, captaining his country at both Under-19 and Under-21 levels before establishing himself in the senior national side."