Joe Cole joins Liverpool
Published 14:05 19/07/10 By Mirror Football
Joe Cole has become Roy Hodgson's first major Liverpool signing.
The midfielder has gone to Anfield on a four-year deal worth £90,000-a-week.
Despite their cash worries the Kop club were able to outbid rivals Tottenham and Arsenal to persuade the Londoner to move north.
Cole also rejected old club West Ham despite a reported offer of £100,000-a-week.
Tottenham admitted defeat yesterday when they announced they were turning their attentions to Manchester City's Craig Bellamy instead.
The Gunners also gave up the ghost earlier in the summer when they refused to break their wage structure for Cole, who was said to be keen on an Emirates move.
But Liverpool have matched the England player's salary expectations with what is claimed to be an £80,000 basic wage with add-ons of £10,000 a week. He is also thought to have been guaranteed starts in the Premier and Europa Leagues as Hodgson attempts to rebuild from last year's nightmare under Rafa Benitez.
Cole will be seen as a direct replacement for Yossi Benayoun, who coincidentally moved to Chelsea for £5.5million earlier this month
The deal is sure to improve Steven Gerrard's chances of staying with his boyhood club - and could persuade Fernando Torres to reject the chance of a move to Stamford Bridge.
A statement on Liverpool's official website read: "Liverpool FC are delighted to confirm the signing of Joe Cole on a four-year deal.
"The England midfielder has agreed personal terms with the Reds and will undergo a medical in the next 48 hours.
"Cole becomes the club's second signing of the summer after Milan Jovanovic.
"The 28-year-old arrives from Chelsea, where he won three league titles and two FA Cups during a seven-year spell.
"He is a product of the West Ham youth system and has represented his country 56 times, scoring 10 goals in the process."
