REDS SIGN BRAZILIAN STAR

Liverpool today made their first significant transfer move of the summer with a swoop for 20-year-old Brazilian Lucas Leiva. The youngster, rated one of the most exciting emerging talents in South America, has signed from Brazilian club Gremio.

Leiva was recently called up to his national team, and Rafa Benitez believes the central midfielder will be challenging for a first team place at the beginning of next season. Leiva will join the Reds in the summer after Benitez beat a host of top clubs to his signature. The fee has remained undisclosed at this stage, but is believed to be around £5m.

“He’s a player with a lot of quality who we watched playing for the Brazil Under-20s. He will be ready to join the first team squad from the start of next season. He's a very good signing for us and likes to be an attacking midfielder, but he has many qualities. We've now reached an agreement for the player to join us,” Benitez said today.

Leiva will be the second South American to join the Reds this summer, following Argentinian left winger Sebastian Leto.