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The team continues to build up for the upcoming season. The latest players to join the squad are representatives from the South American continent - Brazilian left-back Fabio Aurelio, Chilean right-back Mark Gonzalez, and defender from Argentina Gabriel Paletta.
26-year-old F. Aurelio signed a four-year contract with Liverpool. The Brazilian spent the last six seasons with the club and won the Spanish champions title twice (in 2002 and 2004) under the guidance of the current Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez.
Valencia did not receive any compensation for the defender as F. Aurelio's contract expired, and the player decided not to extend it himself.
"Fabio is a high-level player, so he is undoubtedly an excellent purchase," said R. Benitez. "F. Aurelio is also a very technical player, great with his left foot, and offers the coach a lot of options. Moreover, he has the character of a winner."
Meanwhile, on Monday, the 22-year-old defender M. Gonzalez will celebrate his birthday. Gonzalez was supposed to join Liverpool last summer, but due to a serious knee injury and difficulties in obtaining a work permit in England, he had to spend the season in Spain, on loan to the team in San Sebastian.
Now the leaders of Liverpool have managed to settle all formalities, and the Chilean who has successfully played in Spain has become another pupil of R. Benitez.
"This is great news for us," exclaimed the Spanish specialist. "I am extremely happy that M. Gonzalez will play in the team - a player that the fans wanted to see."
"Mark is an excellent left-back who can deliver the ball into the penalty area or break through into it, confusing the defender. The Chilean is also a person of good character."
The latest acquisition for the team is the 20-year-old defender G. Paletta, who wore the jersey of his hometown club's Banfield Atletico last season. The player signed a four-year contract.
"G. Paletta is a tough defender, and that's exactly the kind of player we need in the English Premier League," assured R. Benitez. "He is more like Jamie Carragher than Sami Hyypia. It's great that we will have a balance between this style of defenders."
Many big South American and European clubs were interested in the young talent, but the competition for the defender was won by Liverpool.
