Liverpool are on the verge of signing Andrea Dossena and the Udinese full-back is delighted he will be the first Italian international to play for Liverpool.

Dossena will complete his move to Anfield in the coming days after undergoing a medical on Merseyside earlier this week and his agent Federico Pastorello has revealed his client's delight at signing for Liverpool.

"I understand he is the first Italian international to play for Liverpool - a great opportunity for him and he is really happy," Pastorello said today.

Dossena is expected to finalise his transfer in the next 48 hours before being unveiled by the club next week in a deal believed to be worth around €8.9 million.

"He had his medical on Wednesday and we are just awaiting the formalities of that but we would think everything will be signed very shortly," he continued.

"An agreement between the clubs was hard, but we all found it and everything is now ready."

The 26-year-old had a tremendous campaign with Udinese, which included his debut for Italy, and Pastorello admits Liverpool beat a number of clubs to seal his signature.

"There were many teams interested in him," he confirmed. "He was the best left-back in Italy last year, arguably along with the boy (Juan) Vargas at Catania.

"So it was natural that there will be interest in the best left-back in Serie A, but to have the chance to work with a coach like Rafa Benitez was something he could not turn down.

"That was an important aspect of his decision and he cannot wait to get started."