Babel's £3m signing-on bonus
RYAN BABEL became an instant millionaire the second he put pen to
paper on his Liverpool contract. The Ajax hitman completed his
Anfield move yesterday, with the clubs eventually agreeing a
compromise fee that could reach up to £12million. And that figure
will see the Dutch star net almost £3m even before he picks up a
penny in wages on his five-year deal.
Babel, 20, had an agreement with Ajax that saw him collect half of
any transfer fee over and above £6m. With the figure set to
ultimately reach around double that, he was laughing all the way to
the bank as he completed the formalities. Babel follows club record
£21.5m hotshot Fernando Torres, West Ham midfielder Yossi Benayoun,
Bayer Leverkusen free Andriy Voronin and Brazilian rookie Lukas
Leiva into Anfield.
Gabriel Heinze will complete boss Rafa Benitezs summer dealings,
if the Manchester United defender completes a £5m switch after
Argentinas Copa America showdown with Brazil.
Benayoun, 27, becomes the third Israeli to play for Liverpool,
after Avi Cohen and Ronny Rosenthal. And Cohen, who spent two
seasons at Anfield, reckons the Hammers star will be a huge hit on
Merseyside. He said: This is the chance for Yossi to become a big
name around the world. He played very well for West Ham and has
already shown he has got the ability and talent to perform at the
highest level.
Yossis so skilful and clever and very good at being able to spot
the right pass to play. Liverpool have been looking for someone
like him and Im sure he will be a great success. He can play as a
striker or out wide and I think he will suit Liverpools style very
well.
