Suarez signs new deal with Liverpool
LUIS SUAREZ has ended Juventus’s hopes of enticing him from Liverpool this summer by signing an improved contract with his club.
The Uruguay international has been frequently linked with the Italian champions since the end of last season, and Brendan Rodgers has admitted several clubs were interested in the 25-year-old, but the player committed to a new deal with Liverpool on his first day back at training following the Olympics.
Suarez had four years remaining on the contract signed on his £22.8m (€28.7) purchase from Ajax last January and Liverpool have been looking to reward his impact at Anfield since late last year.
He revealed his contentment at Liverpool, who were widely criticised for standing by Suarez throughout the Patrice Evra controversy, was an instrumental factor in his decision. “To sign a new contract with Liverpool is unbelievable for me because I am so happy here at both the club and also in the city,” said the striker.
“That is important for me and I am very happy with my new contract. I am happy off the pitch because the people of Liverpool are good with me and my family. I try my best on the pitch and when you are happy off the pitch, you are happy on the pitch.”
Suarez met Rodgers, the new Liverpool manager, for the first time on Monday but the pair have been in frequent contact this summer, with Rodgers outlining to the striker his vision of how to return the club to the Champions League.
Rodgers said: “I’m delighted. When you have the opportunity to work with world-class players it’s fantastic. There were certainly a few clubs who were interested in him but over the off-season he and I communicated well – and he’s committed himself for the long term here now.”
The manager added: “It was about selling him the dream going forward, telling him how important he is for me as a player. It was big for me coming into the club.
“We are not in the Champions League and those type of players want to upgrade to that level. But hopefully he was able to see the vision of what we are trying to do. I was very honest and open with him about where we are at as a club. But he felt safe and secure that we are going in the right direction. He is very happy to come with me on that journey. He is a player who you see out there whether it is sun, rain or snow. You very rarely see him in the treatment room.”
Suarez has scored 21 goals in 52 appearances for Liverpool and is available for tomorrow’s Europa League third qualifying round second leg against FC Gomel following Uruguay’s elimination from the Olympic Games. He explained: “I am still a boy. I am 25-years-old. I think when you say ‘I am tired’ it is an excuse. I live for, and love to, play football. I am never tired.”
Arsenal have completed the signing of Santi Cazorla from financially-stricken Spanish club Malaga for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £16m (€20.1m).
An attacking midfielder also adept at playing on either wing, the 27-year-old Spanish international is an impressive addition to a squad already strengthened by the recent arrival of strikers Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud.
Seven years have passed since Arsenal lifted any silverware, but Cazorla believes fortunes will change following the flurry of transfer activity in north London.
“There’s a very good squad here and we want to fight for titles and win titles,” he told the Arsenal Player website.
“The club has made a big step to sign players to have a better team and meet the expectations of the fans.
“I’m very happy to be here, Arsenal are a huge club. I hope to win trophies here, that is what I want.”
Guardian Service
