The Merseyside club (Liverpool) announced
yesterday that Ivory Coast
defender Kolo Toure on Tuesday, has completed his move to the club on a free
transfer from English Premier League rivals Manchester City.
The centre-back's contract
with City expired on Monday and the 32-year-old, whose move had been planned
for some time, completed the formalities when the new transfer window opened.
Although Liverpool
have not won the English league title for more than 20 years, Toure said he was
thrilled to join the five-time European champions.
"This means a lot to me.
Firstly, I'm joining one of the best clubs in England," Toure told
liverpoolfc.com.
"When I left City it was
important for me to stay in England
because it's the best league -- and to join Liverpool
is massive for me. He quoted.
"I chose Liverpool because of the history and because of the
spirit of the team and the people here." He added
Toure, who played alongside
younger brother Yaya at City, is Liverpool's
fourth major signing of the close-season transfer window.
He follows in the footsteps of
Spanish forwards Luis Alberto and Iago Aspas and Belgium goalkeeper Simon Mignolet,
all of whom reported to the club's Melwood training base for the first day of
pre-season training on Tuesday.
Captain Steven Gerrard, who
missed the end of last season due to injury, was also present, but striker Luis
Suarez and goalkeeper Pepe Reina have been given extra time off due to their
involvement in the Confederations Cup.