Liverpool have completed the signing of goalkeeper Alexander Doni from Roma.
Brazil international Doni, 31, arrives to provide competition for Pepe Reina and director of football Damien Comolli feels it will be of real benefit to the squad.
He told the club’s official website: “We are delighted to sign Doni. It’s a position we felt we had to strengthen because it will allow our young goalkeepers to go on loan and get some experience at some point during the season, which is crucial in their development.
“We are getting a very experienced goalkeeper who is used to handling the pressure of big games and international matches with Brazil. He had a very good end of last season with Roma, so we are very pleased.
“I spoke to Lucas about Doni and he was very complimentary about him as a person and as a goalkeeper, so I think it’s a great deal for us.
“He is suited to English football. He is big and good in the air and his distribution is quick as well. When you play for Roma for years and years, the pressure at that club in that city is tremendous, so the fact he can handle that shows he can take anything.”
He added: “When you come here and know you will be a number two behind Pepe, what’s important for us is the attitude and mentality off the pitch and in the changing room. He’s got to be supportive of the number one but also be aggressive enough to push the number one on a daily basis, and I think Doni represents all that.
“When we approached him the first time, obviously he wanted to be a number one somewhere but he said Liverpool Football Club is such a big club that if he wanted to come as a number two then he would come.”
Liverpool have not announced the details of the fee or contract length.
Doni, who holds an Italian passport, joined Roma in 2005 from Brazilians Juventude and spent six seasons with the Giallorossi, winning the Coppa Italia in 2007 and 2008.
The 31-year-old is Liverpool’s third summer signing following the capture of Jordan Henderson from Sunderland and Charlie Adam from Blackpool, while a fee has also been agreed for Aston Villa winger Stewart Downing.
Credit: http://soccernet.espn.go.com
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