January Transfer Window Round Up

From ThisIsAnfield.com

Daniele Padelli
Position: Goalkeeper, Date of Birth: 25/10/1985, Former clubs: Sampdoria, Crotone.

Liverpool confirmed the loan signing of Italian under-21 goalkeeper Daniele Padelli from Sampdoria in January 2007, subject to international clearance.

Padelli, who was on loan with second division Crotone in the first half of the season, has signed until the end of the 2006/2007 season when the Reds will have the option to agree a permanent deal.

“He’s a good young goalkeeper who has been selected for his national side,” said manager Rafael Benitez.

“Padelli will give us a good option for the future. The fact he is once again with the under-21s for his national side tells you that we are signing a very good player.
“Our scouting department are working really hard to bring good young players to the club and I’m delighted we have been able to sign Padelli.”


Emiliano Insua
Position: Defender, Date of Birth: 07/01/1989, Former clubs: Boca Juniors

Liverpool signed promising Argentinian defender Emiliano Insua on an 18 month loan deal in January 2007.

The teenage left back - who has represented his country at under 20 level - has arrived from Boca Juniors and signed a deal to keep him at Anfield until June 2008.
“He is a good, young player with a lot of potential,” said manager Rafael Benitez.
Insua’s arrival is part of an ongoing strategy by Rafa Benitez to recruit elite youngsters from across the world and provide a stable foundation for the future of the club.


Jordy Brouwer
Position: Striker, date of birth: 26 February 1988 , Former clubs: Ajax.

Liverpool have confirmed the signing of Dutch youngster Jordy Brouwer from Ajax. The 18 year old striker is the latest of Rafael Benitez’s youth recruits as the manager continues his policy of planning for the club’s future.

Brouwer - who plays for the Dutch under-19 side - has swapped Ajax for Anfield.
“We have made a good signing for the future in Jordy,” said chief executive Rick Parry.”He has had a youth contract at Ajax, but has opted to build his career at Liverpool. We have been monitoring his progress and look forward to developing his potential at Anfield.” On 22 January 2007 Brouwer signed professional papers with Liverpool on a four and a half year contract[2]. As Brouwer was only a youth at the time of the transfer, the English side only paid a training based fee to Ajax for the player


Sebastiàn Leto
Position: Midfield, Date of birth- , Former club: Lanús (Argentina)

Liverpool have finalised the signing of Sebastiàn Leto, the Argentine winger, in a deal worth £1.85 million. Leto, 20, who plays for Lanùs, had a medical on Merseyside on Friday, but will return to Argentina before officially becoming a Liverpool player on July 1.

Sebastián Leto is an Argentine football midfielder. He was born on August 30, 1986, in the city of Alejandro Korn in the Buenos Aires Province of Argentina. He currently plays for Club Atlético Lanús of the Primera Division Argentina.

Leto is one of the most highly rated youngsters breaking into first team football in the Argentine Primera and has played 34 matches for Lanús since breaking into the first team, scoring six goals. He’s considered the best young player in the World behind Lionel Messi in French Magazine TLW.


Alvaro Arbeloa
Position: Centre half/right back, Date of Birth: Jan 17, 1983, Former club: Real Madrid, Deprotivo de la Coruna.

Liverpool have clinched a deal for Spanish defender Alvaro Arbeloa, according to Deportivo la Coruna boss Joaquin Caparros.The Reds are ready to pay €4million (£2.64million) for the former Real Madrid full-back who only moved to Depor at the start of the current season. Caparros has admitted that the Spanish club have sanctioned the sale of the player who cost €1.3million (£860,000) from Real in the summer.

When the 23 year old left Real he said: “This is a strange situation for me, i have been playing for Real Madrid Castilla for 5 years, since i was 18 year’s old, Real was nothing but good to me, but it’s time for me to go. real has the best players in the world, although that is great for the club, unfortunately that’s not so great for Cantera players, only a few of us can find there place in the first team, and even those how find there place in the first team like Álvaro Mejía and Paco Pavon are only 3ed or 4th pick and that is why i want to live the club, to a club where i can get some play time.”


Francis Durán
Position: Midfield Date of birth: (he’s 18) Former Club: Malaga

Liverpool are set to acquire the services of promising Spanish midfielder Francis Duran from second division team Malaga.The 18-year-old will travel to Liverpool on Tuesday and is expected to sign a professional contract with the Reds, according to the Spanish media.
“It’s a unique opportunity and I couldn’t let it go by,” Francis told the Spanish press.


Javier Mascherano (To be confirmed)
Position: Defensive Midfield, Date of birth- June 8, 1984, Former Club: West ham utd, River Plate, Corinthians.

Argentinian defensive midfielder has been given clearance to sign for the Reds in a deal which may initially be an 18 month loan but this is still to be confirmed officially. Having struggled at the Hammers this season the 22 year old will provide valuable cover for the Reds in midfield.