LIVERPOOL COMPLETE DIOUF DEAL

Tuesday June 25 2002 (www.football365.com)


Senegal striker El Hadji Diouf has completed his £10 million move to
Liverpool.

The Anfield side flew a backroom team out to the World Cup in Japan within
hours of Senegal's quarter-final defeat by Turkey on Saturday so the 21-
year-old could undergo a medical.

Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier wanted to eliminate any chance of a late
swoop by Juventus.

Diouf, who moves from French club Lens, said he was happy to continue his
rise to prominence in the Premiership.

"It will be a great challenge to fight for a place alongside Michael Owen
and Emile Heskey," Diouf said.

"It will be excellent to play in the Champions League and I hope to play
against my former side Lens and maybe go over there and beat them."

Diouf, who arrived on the world stage by inspiring Senegal to victory over
France in the World Cup opener, admitted he has never stepped foot in
Liverpool.

He said he was relishing the prospect of competing at the very highest
level, though he was keen to have longer than three weeks rest.

"Gerard Houllier has given me 21 days off, but I must admit I hoped for a
bit more," he said.

"I was looking forward to getting away from football for a while."

Diouf will be joined at Anfield by international teammate Salif Diao, who
will move from French club Sedan before the end of the year

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