Liverpool New January 2013 Signing : Philippe Coutinho
'I'm joining a great club with great players', beams Liverpool's new No 10 Coutinho as he completes £8.5m Anfield move
By JOHN DRAYTON
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Philippe Coutinho has hailed the rich history of Liverpool after he completed his move from Inter Milan.
The 20-year-old midfielder has become Brendan Rodgers' second signing of the January transfer window following Daniel Sturridge's arrival from Chelsea.
Coutinho is the fifth Brazilian to represent the club after Fabio Aurelio, Diego Cavalieri, Doni and Lucas Leiva.
New signing: Philippe Coutinho poses with a Liverpool shirt after completing his move
Pen to paper: Coutinho signs his new contact alongside Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre
Coutinho is on his fourth club - all in different countries - in three years, but having spoken at length with compatriot and new team-mate Lucas, he is confident he will adapt to life on Merseyside.
'I've been talking to him for some time and he said good things about Liverpool,' said the midfielder, who began his career with Vasco da Gama before moving to Inter, who loaned him to Espanyol for the latter half of last season.
'He believes this might be a nice club for me and now it's happening. I'm very confident and excited to come and start to train with the team and be available to the manager.
Red alert: Coutinho poses in front of the Royal Liver Building and with his No 10 shirt (below)
'I've been playing in Italy for two-and-a-half years and I believe I will adapt with ease here. I'm feeling very happy, it's a very important step in my career and I'm expecting to come here and play good football to give my contribution on the pitch.
'Liverpool is a great club with great players. We've always heard about Liverpool's history in Brazil. They are the club that have been interested in me and that have showed this interest so I know they believe in me and my football.'
Blessing: Coutinho moves to Liverpool with the approval of Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti
Coutinho's arrival, for a fee believed to be around £8.5million, takes Rodgers' spending close to £50m since he arrived in the summer.
Rodgers told Sky Sports 2 before last night's match at Arsenal: 'He is a very exciting young player but he actually has a lot of experience for a 20-year-old and has played at the very highest level.
'He is great at the one-on-one, taking players on and he has a goal in him.'
Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre added: 'We're always delighted when we get the players we go after.
'It has been a successful transfer window for us, coming off the back of acquiring Daniel Sturridge from Chelsea and now Philippe from Inter Milan.
'I think that bodes well for us for the rest of the season and the future.'
Looking to add: Brendan Rodgers wants to bring in more players
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