Soccer: Alberto Aquilani's time at Liverpool is finally over after the Reds confirmed the midfielder had completed a permanent transfer to Fiorentina. The 28-year-old Italian arrived at Anfield on a five-year deal in August 2009 following the departure of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid.
His time on Merseyside was badly affected by injury and he has spent the last two seasons on loan, firstly to Juventus and then AC Milan.
A statement on club website www.liverpoolfc.tv read: "Liverpool Football Club can today confirm that Alberto Aquilani has completed a permanent transfer to Serie A side Fiorentina. The Italian midfielder joined Liverpool in 2009 but made just 28 first-team appearances having spent the last two seasons on loan in his homeland.
"Everyone at the club would like to wish Alberto all the best for the future."
Fiorentina's honorary president Andrea Della Vale told Italy's Sky television: "We have managed to seal a deal for Aquilani, who is a Fiorentina player. He is the big name signing that we were waiting for."
Aquilani's future team-mate Francesco Della Rocca, who was presented to the media at the Viola's training camp in Moena today, cannot wait to welcome Aquilani to the club.
"Alberto is a great player and he will do really well at Fiorentina," he said. "He wants to bounce back from what has not been a very positive time for him at Liverpool and I am convinced that it will be a big chance for him in Florence."
Aquilani scored two goals in his 28 appearances for Liverpool.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has dismissed suggestions of Daniel Agger's Europa League absence being an indicator of a move to Manchester City. The centre-back was left out of the Anfield club's squad for last night's Europa League qualifier against FC Gomel and that sparked extra speculation.
Liverpool had rejected two bids from City for Agger and further reports had since suggested the Dane handed in a transfer request.
Agger's agent, Per Steffensen, yesterday did little to calm the situation by announcing his client was 'not injured in any way' before the Gomel game, but Rodgers is adamant the injury-prone centre-back was only absent in Belarus due to fitness issues, as he said: "The plan was always for Daniel to stay behind.
"Everyone knows his history of injuries. He came back to pre-season training after everyone else and is still not up to speed. He is fit but I have to make sure he is up to speed before he plays, because everyone knows his history with injuries."
Agger is under contract with Liverpool until the summer of June 2014 and earlier this summer he admitted he would welcome the chance to discuss a new deal.
City could therefore find it difficult to convince their Premier League rivals to sell and reports have suggested the English champions are instead looking at Marseille's Nicolas N'Koulou.
