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Roma announce £4m Riise transfer

19/06/2008

Serie A runners-up Roma have announced the signing of Liverpool defender John Arne Riise in a €5 million (£3.93 million) deal.

The 27-year-old has signed a four-year contract that will begin next month, a statement on the Giallorossi's website said.

"Roma announce they have reached an agreement with Liverpool for the acquisition of the sporting rights of the player John Arne Riise with effect from July 1st 2008," the message read.

Liverpool have not yet confirmed the transfer as they are awaiting the completion of the necessary paperwork.

Riise arrived in Anfield in 2001 from Monaco and made more than 300 appearances for the Reds.

But last season was marked by an alarming drop in form as Fabio Aurelio ousted him from Rafa Benitez's first team.

Riise, who has 71 caps for the Norwegian national team, also suffered the ignominy of scoring a last-minute own goal that effectively secured Chelsea's passage to the Champions League final at Liverpool's expense.