Kyrgiakos to fly in for medical

Liverpool have today agreed a deal with AEK Athens for central defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos, subject to a medical, reports the official site.
The 30-year-old Greek international will arrive at Melwood for a medical examination within 24 hours. The fee is believed to be 3 million Euros.

Manager Rafael Benitez speaking to the official site said: "We have nearly done the deal subject to a medical. He is a player with experience who can hopefully help us in defence.

"He has experience in British football and Rangers. After that with Frankfurt and the national team. He's a good player in the air, strong and aggressive. We were looking for a player with experience.

"He will have the medical this week, it has to be before the weekend."

Young centre-backs Martin Kelly and Daniel Ayala, will be able to learn from the new signing says Benitez:

"The young players know they need experience and so to learn alongside people with this experience is better."

The player who prematurely announced his intended departure to the Reds via his own web site said: "On Monday night I received an offer from Liverpool, an offer which I have accepted."

AEK released the following : “We respect his decision and have repeatedly stated that we never keep any player against his will, for whatever reason. But the timing of the departure of Sotirios Kyrgiakos has come at the worst possible moment for our club,” reports the Times.