Aquilani completes move to Reds in a 5-year deal.

Alberto Aquilani has finalised his move from Roma to Liverpool football club. The midfielder completed what the Telegraph called a “a stringent medical” last night and signed with The Reds. The club released an official statement confirming the deal, saying:

“Alberto Aquilani has successfully completed a medical and agreed a five-year contract with the club. The player will now continue his rehabilitation from an ankle operation under the guidance of Liverpool's medical team and is expected to be fully fit in approximately four to eight weeks' time.”

Aquilani who flew into Heathrow on Thursday night before travelling up to Liverpool for the medical said upon arrival at the airport:

“Obviously I feel very sorry to leave my city and Roma,” said Aquilani.

“It would be fantastic to play with players like Gerrard and Torres and the others. Liverpool is one of the biggest clubs in the world,” reports the Star.

There have been concerns about the Italian internationals fitness after the 25-year-old suffered an ankle injury in his last appearance for Roma, during their Champions League defeat against Arsenal in March. The player underwent surgery in May. It is understood that Aquilani has since undergone part of his rehabilitation at the Hammers with the Independent reporting: "he was sent to West Ham to recuperate, where Gianfranco Zola has taken some of the best medical staff in Italy to work," with Marco Cesarini, formerly of Brescia treating Aquilani.

The players father Claudio has been a key player in the direction of his carer was also understood to have has joined his son for the trip to merseyside. Signing Aquilani is a coup in football terms for Benitez because he is one of three Roma players in the team, who come from the city and have progressed through the youth ranks. Aquilani comes from the city's Monte Sacro district and his connections with the club runs deep.

Claudio Ranieri's Chelsea tried to sign the young Aquilani when he was only 16, after he played in the Viareggio youth tournament in 2001, however "Aquilani's father Claudio refused to allow his son to be sold," reports the story.

The player has signed a five year deal with the Reds, which the Guardian claims is: "worth £85,000 a week." The fee for Aquilani has not been officially released by either club, but newspapers have priced the deal anywhere between £15-20 million depending upon which article you read.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has said that Aquilai will "excite the fans," and with his recovery set between 4-8 weeks the playmaker could be fit to do just that when the Reds face Burnley in the Premiership next month.