LONDON, Aug 7 - Liverpool confirmed the signing of
AS Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani on a five-year contract on
Friday after he passed a medical.
The 25-year-old Italy player has been bought by manager Rafa
Benitez as a replacement for Xabi Alonso who returned to his
native Spain to join Real Madrid on Tuesday.
Aquilani suffered an injury-hit campaign with Serie A side
Roma last season and is recovering from ankle surgery in May.
"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 four to eight
weeks' time," said a statement on www.liverpoolfc.tv.
Aquilani is Liverpool's second major signing of the close
season after Portsmouth's England right-back Glen Johnson joined
the Premier League club in June.
(Reporting by Neil Maidment; Editing by Ken Ferris;
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