Martin Skrtel arrive on Merseyside for talks

Poolman SG

Defender flies in for transfer talks with Liverpool FC

LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez is poised to move a step closer to reinforcing his central defence today.

His main target, Martin Skrtel of Zenit St Petersburg, is due to arrive on Merseyside for talks over a possible £4million transfer.

The international defender has already played on Merseyside this season having turned out for Zenit St Petersburg in their 1-0 defeat at Goodison Park last month in Group A of the UEFA Cup.

The 23-year-old helped his club to win the Russian Championship in the autumn and has 15 caps for Slovakia, having broken into the national team in 2004, the same year that he moved to Zenit from his first club, Trencin.

Skrtel, who is 6ft 3in and could have chosen a career in ice hockey, has netted three times in 74 appearances for Dick Advocaats side. His contract expires at the end of this calendar year.

Meanwhile, Daniel Agger has been named Denmarks Footballer of the Year for 2007.

Poolman SG

Birthday 15.12.1984
Age 23 years
Country Slovakia
Height 191 cm
Weight 81 kg
Position Defender
Number 3
On contract till 31.12.2008

Martin Skrtel
Martin Skrtel was born in Handlova, Slovakia on 15 December 1984.

Career
He is FC Previdza school graduate. Played for Slovakian teams FC Previdza and FC Trencin.

From 2004 Martin been playing for FC Zenit. He made his debut in the Russian Cup match on 31 July, 2004 against FC Irtysh.

Capped for the Slovak youth national team and then Slovak A-team. As well as Kamil Contofalsky, Martin faced his teammates from FC Zenit during the World Cup 2006 preliminary fixture Russia vs Slovakia, which ended with the victory of the latter.

Track record

2001 - youth champion of Slovakia

Get to know more
Martin could have become a hockey player but he has chosen football, inspired by his fathers football career

Martin claims that the presence of Slovak and Czech players was very important for him to accustom himself to the new team

Martin has tried several positions on the pitch: midfielder, attacker and chose defense aged 16

Played in official matches for Zenit - 113, goals scored - 5. Played for Zenit in Russian Championship - 74, goals scored - 3. Played for second team - 4.

Poolman SG

6m Skrtel joins Liverpool

8 January 2008

Liverpool are poised to complete a £6m deal for Zenit St Petersburg's Slovakian defender Martin Skrtel.

The 23-year-old Slovakia international has passed his routine medical on Merseyside.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez needs Skrtel to strengthen central defence, where 34-year-old Sami Hyypia has been deputising for injured Daniel Agger.

The move, once completed, will make Skrtel the most expensive defender in Liverpool's history

Poolman SG

Hope another Daniel Agger in the making .

With this new signing , let's hope Benitez do give Hyypia a last contract , a one-year extension to his current due .

Let's hope Hyypia do help this guy blend into the team .

Anyway , with Liverpool having not much funds , i don't see Hyypia getting a new contract .

All's the new stadium fault .

798 SG

£6.5million Skrtel passes Liverpool medical

Martin Skrtel has moved a step closer to becoming the most expensive defender in Liverpool's history after passing his medical.

A club record £6.5million fee has been agreed with Skrtel's Russian club, Zenit St Petersburg, and personal terms have also been agreed with the player.

Skrtel is now waiting for the deal to be rubber-stamped by Liverpool's owners.

The Slovakia international centre-back was manager Rafael Benitez's top target for the January transfer window, and the Reds boss is looking to get the transfer wrapped up as quickly as possible so he can incorporate Skrtel into the Liverpool squad.

But currently chief executive Rick Parry is in New York holding discussions with club owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks.

The meetings have been arranged to make a decision on what plan the Americans will agree on for the new stadium planned for Stanley Park.

It is also clear that talks are still going on regarding Liverpool's overall financing, with the Americans still searching for a deal to re-finance their original loans to buy the club, and to find the cash for the new stadium.

A decision is expected to be announced on the new stadium scheme on Wednesday, and it is also expected that Skrtel's transfer will also be finalised for him to be included in Liverpool's squad to play Middlesbrough on Saturday.

anhydrouscoppersulphate SG

similar type of player with hyypia.