FOWLER JOIN CARDIFF

After turn downed several offers from Sydney FC, Leicester, Port Vale, and other clubs, The God signs in for two-year contract with Coca-Cola Championship side Cardiff.

A statement on Cardiff's official website said: "Cardiff City are delighted to announce that Robbie Fowler has agreed to join them on a two-year contract.

"Robbie is expected to be unveiled at a press conference in Cardiff on Monday or Tuesday this week."

His first, nine-year spell at Liverpool, which ended in 2001 with a move to Leeds, saw Fowler score 120 league goals and made him one of the most feared strikers in England.

Fowler joined Leeds for £11m, netting 14 times in 24 league starts, before a switch to Manchester City in January 2003.

The striker's unexpected return to Liverpool three years later was welcomed by Reds fans although he was rarely first choice under Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez.

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N156443070721-1316.htm

FOWLER AGREES CARDIFF MOVE
Paul Eaton 21 July 2007

Robbie Fowler has agreed to sign for Cardiff City on a two year contract.

Fowler, who was released by Liverpool at the end of last season, has finalised a deal to join up with the Championship side and will be unveiled at a news conference this week.

The 32 year old striker had earlier rejected the opportunity to continue his playing career with Sydney FC in Australia's A-League.

"It's taken a lot of hard work but thankfully it's done now," Cardiff manager Dave Jones said.

"I met Robbie on holiday in America, just a chance meeting, and asked him what he was doing.

"He wasn't sure so I went on the internet to check his record and found he wasn't a bad player so I thought we might chase him.

"Peter [Ridsdale] has worked really hard on it and I'm glad he's decided to we are the club he wants to join."


Wish you good luck, legend!

RAFA IMPRESSED WITH VORONIN DEBUT

Paul Eaton Rafael Benitez tonight praised the debut performance of Andriy Voronin after the Ukrainian made an impressive start to his Anfield career during the 3-0 friendly victory at Crewe.

Voronin created the game's opening goal for Lee Peltier during an impressive 45 minutes on the field and Benitez is confident his new striker will have a big part to play once the competitive action begins next month. "We know that Voronin is going to be another option for us," he said. "He has good game intelligence, he plays well between the lines and he has a lot of quality. "He played well today in what was a good game for us. We used 22 players and I saw a lot of good things on the field. "Two of the young lads scored as well which is good for them. They need to be involved in these kind of games to show what they can do." The Reds fly off to Switzerland on Sunday for a week long training camp which will include friendlies against Werder Bremen and Auxerre. Record signing Fernando Torres is expected to play some part of Tuesday night's game with Bremen in Grenchen. "We had to wait for Fernando because he started training after the other players and we also needed to check his ankle, but I think he'll be okay for our next game." Benitez, meanwhile, didn't rule out the possibility that he could welcome another new player to the club before the start of the season. "We'll have to see," he said. "We are working hard with the players we have but we'll also keep an eye on the market. We have another month before the season starts so there's plenty of time."

GREAT REASONS TO SIGN UP FOR SETANTA

Paul Eaton 15 July 2007 Sign up for Setanta Sports today and not only will you be able to enjoy LFC TV - the club's brand new dedicated channel - when it launches in September, you'll also be able to watch both of the Reds' friendlies live from Switzerland this week.

Rafael Benitez's side take on Werder Bremen in Grenchen on Tuesday night (7.15pm ko) and then face French outfit Auxerre on Friday in Freiburg (2pm ko). Record signing Fernando Torres is expected to make his debut in one of the matches while there are also likely to be first starts for fellow new boys Ryan Babel and Yossi Benayoun. Both matches are live and exclusive on Setanta Sports, who will be bringing you LFC TV as part of its nine channel sports package in the autumn. LFC TV will be included at no extra cost - the recently reduced price of £9.99 a month applies to the full Setanta Sports Pack, and there is no annual contract. The channel will also be broadcast live on www.liverpoolfc.tv as part of e-Season Ticket, the official website's premium content service. What's On LFC TV and When All Liverpool FC matches in the English Premier League and UEFA Champions League (not live) At least six hours of original programming content per day, five days a week, fifty two weeks per year Daily news round-up with all the latest from Anfield and Melwood Exclusive interviews with the manager, coaching staff and current players Classic matches from Liverpool's illustrious past No less than 50% of all friendlies involving the Liverpool football team on a live and exclusive basis Live studio discussions with former Liverpool stars, supporters, celebrity fans and football experts LFC TV viewers subscribing to Setanta Sports will receive the club's brand new designated channel plus: Setanta Sports 1 Setanta Sports 2 Setanta Golf Racing UK Racing World NASN (North American Sports Network) Celtic TV Rangers TV Click here for more information on Setanta Sports and to sign up today>> LFC TV will also be available to watch live online on liverpoolfc.tv if you subscribe to the official club website's premium content offering, the e-Season Ticket. Click here for more information on the e-Season Ticket>>

FABIO ON ROAD TO RECOVERY

	Fabio Aurelio hopes to be back in training next month as he continues to recover from an Achilles injury.
The Brazilian damaged his Achilles last season and has spent the summer undergoing an intensive rehabilitation programme. "Fabio isn't fit yet," said boss Rafael Benitez. "It could be another month before he is recovered. We knew it would be a long time when he suffered the injury. "He is improving but it's not easy when you have this kind of injury."

NEW LIVERPOOL 07/08 HOME & AWAY SHIRTS

REDS HUNT £10M FOR BABEL

Liverpool are closing in on rising Dutch star Ryan Babel. The Reds are in a strong position to land the 20-year-old having started negotiations with Ajax for the £10m-rated starlet. Manager Rafa Benitez turned his attention to the exciting frontman having lost out to Chelsea in the battle for Lyon’s Florent Malouda.

Now Babel, a versatile attacker who can play as a striker, left or right winger, has jumped to the top of the Reds’ wanted list. Babel was a star in the recent European Under-21 Championships when he was named man-of-the-match in Holland’s 4-1 win over Serbia. He’s attracted interest from a host of clubs, with Arsenal initially considered his most likely destination.

But Liverpool have acted swiftly in the transfer market in recent weeks, with the working relationship between Benitez and chief executive Rick Parry yielding positive results. Liverpool are confident Babel’s signature will be secured imminently as the youngster has stated his desire to move to Anfield. Following last week’s purchase of Fernando Torres, Benitez will be delighted to see another key stage of his summer transfer rebuilding plans taking shape. He also remains keen to sign West Ham’s Yossi Benayoun, although the Hammers still want as much as £6m for the Israeli international, which may yet prove a stumbling block.

Craig Bellamy will move to Upton Park for £8m once he reaches agreement on the pay-off he’s expecting from Liverpool. Djibril Cisse has joined Marseilles in a deal worth £8m, while Mark Gonzalez is joining Real Betis for £3.5m. With Luis Garcia and Florent Sinama-Pongolle also moving on for a combined value of around £5m, Liverpool have been equally impressive raising the funds to finance Benitez’s summer spending spree

BELLAMY & CISSE DEALS ARE COMPLETED

Rafael Benitez has confirmed that deals taking Craig Bellamy to West Ham and Djibril Cisse to Marseille have been completed. And the Anfield manager, who had just witnessed a youthful Liverpool side win a pre-season friendly at Wrexham 3-2, insisted that any move to bring Yossi Benayoun to the club would be a separate deal.

It is believed that West Ham have paid £8m for Bellamy, who has agreed a four-year deal on £75,000 a week, but any chance that Benayoun would be part of that deal have been ended by Benitez. Benitez, who has also allowed reserve winger Paul Anderson to join Swansea on a season-long loan, said: “The deals for Bellamy and Cisse are completed.

“And any move for Benayoun to join us from West Ham will not be linked with the Bellamy sale. We have made an offer which has been rejected. He is a player I like and would want to sign, and I believe he wants to join us, but that deal will be separate now. We will have to wait and see what happens now next week.” West Ham had attempted to use Benayoun as a straight swap for Bellamy, but Liverpool consider the Isreal captain is worth around £4m, and that offer has been rejected by the Hammers.

Cisse was also the subject of a late move by West Ham, but the French international wants to stay with Marseille, after a season on loan there. His fee is believed to be around £6m.