Assaidi secures £3m Liverpool move as Morocco winger signs four-year deal

Liverpool have completed a £3million deal for Heerenveen winger Oussama Assaidi.

The 24-year-old has signed a four-year contract after passing a medical at Melwood.
Assaidi was in the final year of his contract and moves to Anfield after turning down an offer to stay in Holland from Ajax. He was also wanted by Spartak Moscow and Galatasaray.

Playing for the jersey: New signing Oussama Assaidi poses with his Liverpool shirt

 

He told the Reds' website: 'I'm very happy to play for this big club. The first time I spoke to the coach I had a good feeling. I had offers from other big clubs but I've been waiting for this moment.

'The coach gave me a good feeling. It will be a dream to play with these big players and I hope training will help me to be a good player here.
'When I watch Liverpool it's always a good atmosphere, the fans are fantastic and I'm happy to be here.'
Fulham had expressed an interest in the pacy Assaidi, who can operate on the flanks or through the middle.

He becomes Brendan Rodgers' third signing following the arrivals of Fabio Borini and Joe Allen.

Everything seems to be in order: Assaidi is put through his medical by club doctor Zaf Iqbal

Rodgers said: 'We're delighted with the signing, he's a young player who has done very well, in particular in the last couple of seasons, in Holland.
'He fits our style perfectly, he's an exciting player who is very good in one-versus-one situations and I think he's a player that will excite the crowd.
'We're not expecting too much too early, he needs time to adapt but we're delighted he's chosen to come here over a number of other clubs.

Welcome to Liverpool: Anfield manager Brendan Rodgers greets new boy Assaidi

'As I said, I'll look forward to helping his development and I hope he'll become a very good part of this club.'

Assaidi will triple the £7,000 per week wages he was being paid by Heerenveen and will plug the gaps in the squad that have been left by the departures of Dirk Kuyt and Maxi Rodriguez.
He has 22 caps for Morocco.