Downing completes Liverpool switch

Updated July 16, 2011 09:01:49

England winger Stewart Downing has completed his 20 million pound transfer from Aston Villa to Liverpool after passing a medical.

The 26-year-old, who has played 27 times for England, becomes Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish's fourth major signing of the off-season following Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam and goalkeeper Alexander Doni, who joined the club earlier in the day.

"It's a great feeling and I'm very happy to be here," Downing told the Liverpool website.

"It's been a long time coming and I've had to wait a few weeks, but I'm really pleased to be here.

"With the tradition, the manager and the players they have here, there was a big temptation to come and once I knew of their interest, there was only one place I wanted to go."

Liverpool are believed to have paid 20 million pounds for the winger after Villa had already rejected bids of 12 million pounds and 15 million pounds.

Now Downing is determined to repay Dalglish's faith in bringing him to Merseyside.

"It would be nice to win something. I'm sure that's the same objective for everyone, not just me personally," he said.

"My aim is to be in the team, to play well and give something back because the manager has pushed the boat out to get me here, so hopefully I can give him something back."

Earlier, Liverpool signed Brazilian goalkeeper Doni from AS Roma on a free transfer.

The 31-year-old will act as understudy to the Reds' Spanish first-choice Jose Reina.

Director of football Damien Comolli admitted it was essential to sign a more experienced deputy for Reina.

"We are delighted to sign Doni," Comolli said.

"We are getting a very experienced goalkeeper who is used to handling the pressure of big games and international matches with Brazil.

"He had a very good end of last season with Roma, so we are very pleased.

"When you come here and know you will be a number two behind Pepe, what's important for us is the attitude and mentality off the pitch and in the changing room.

"He's got to be supportive of the number one but also be aggressive enough to push the number one on a daily basis, and I think Doni represents all that."

Doni, who has 10 caps for his country, made 179 appearances for Roma in six seasons in Italy during which time he won the Italian Cup twice.

AFP

Topics: english-premier, soccer, sport, england, united-kingdom

First posted July 16, 2011 08:11:17

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-07-16/liverpool-signs-downing-and-doni/2797108

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