Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/347048
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 16 JULY 2014 20 Sport Liverpool sign Lazar Markovic Liverpool have announced the signing of Serbia winger Lazar Markovic from Benfica THE 20-year-old has joined for an undisclosed fee, reported to be £20million, on what the Barclays Premier League club describe as a "long-term deal". Markovic is Liverpool's fourth new recruit of the summer, follow- ing the arrivals of Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana and Emre Can. Markovic began his professional career with Partizan Belgrade and won successive Serbian titles with them before leaving last summer to join Benfica. The 2013/14 season then saw him win a Portuguese treble as well as getting to the Europa League final, where Benfica were beaten by Sevilla. Regarding his new team, Mark- ovic told liverpoolfc.com: "I am very happy that I have joined such a great club. "I hope that I will fulfil the ex- pectations of the supporters, coaches, players and all connect- ed to the club." Markovic is very much looking to continue his silverware hot streak with Liverpool, who fin- ished second in the top-f light last term. "The Premier League is the strongest league in the world, and so I am very happy to be here," he said. "And I have already played in the Champions League with Benfica. It is superb that Liverpool are in it and I hope we will go far next season. "I watched every game (of Liv- erpool's last season, from Portu- gal) and they played absolutely superb. "It is a shame they did not win the (Premier League) title - but I hope we will win it this season. "I went to Partizan and won the title. I went to Benfica and won the title. Now I have joined Liver- pool and want to win the title, 100 per cent." Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers said: "This is an exciting signing for us and one that improves our squad, in terms of attacking op- tions, for the coming season. "He was hugely impressive for Benfica last season and has proved he has the ability to produce the goods in European competition as well, which will be important for us. "Lazar is f lexible to play a number of positions, but I like the way he attacks games and is al- ways positive and looking to make something happen. He will fit in with the way we play at Liverpool. "Getting him at such a young age is also very pleasing for us, be- cause we will be able to work with him to develop his talent within our group and improve him even further. "He is the sort of character who is hungry to get better and progress; this is what we look for in players." Liverpool are also hoping to sign Belgium's Lille striker Di- vock Origi as Rodgers attempts to further strengthen a Reds squad that is losing Luis Suarez, whose switch to Barcelona is expected to be completed this week. Lazar Markovic Chelsea complete Diego Costa signing THE Brazil-born striker has long been linked with a switch to Stam- ford Bridge and the clubs agreed a fee early this month, with Chelsea meet- ing his buy-out clause reported to be worth £32million. A statement on chelseafc.com read: "Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce Diego Costa has today completed his transfer from Atletico Madrid by signing a five-year con- tract. "He will join up with the first team for our pre-season European training camp next week." Costa joins former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas in moving from the Primera Division to Stamford Bridge this summer. His goals helped Atletico claim a first Spanish league title in 18 years last season and he helped the Madrid side to the Champions League final, beating Chelsea in the semi-final en route to Lisbon, where Real Madrid won the European Cup. Costa said on chelseafc.com: "I am very happy to sign for Chelsea. "Everybody knows it is a big club in a very competitive league, and I am very excited to get started in England with a fantastic coach and team- mates. "Having played against Chelsea last season I know the high quality of the squad I am joining. "I would like to thank everybody at Atletico who made me into the player I am, it was an incredible time for me, but now I am starting a new adven- ture and I hope to win many trophies with Chelsea." Costa is one of a number of players who featured for Atletico last season who could be plying their trade for the Blues next term. Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Cour- tois spent three years on loan with Los Rojiblancos and is expected to compete with Petr Cech for Chelsea's number one jersey. Brazil left-back Felipe Luis is the subject of interest from the Blues, who are seeking a replacement for Ashley Cole after the former England defender's move to Roma. Portuguese midfielder Thiago has also been linked with a Stamford Bridge return from Atletico. Departures are likely, too. Demba Ba's future at Chelsea is in doubt, with the striker linked with Turkish side Besiktas. Ba could feature for Chelsea in Wednesday night's friendly with Wycombe when Jose Mourinho will assess his fringe players, including many of those who spent last season on loan. The first group of players involved in the World Cup will join up with Chelsea for the pre-season tour. The Blues play RZ Pellets on July 23 before matches in Slovenia, Holland, Germany and Hungary. Spain striker Diego Costa Rio Ferdinand set for QPR move QPR manager Harry Redknapp is confident of finalising a deal for Rio Ferdinand, insisting the former Manchester United defender is keen to move to Loftus Road. Ferdinand has been working for the BBC at the World Cup in Brazil for the past month but Redknapp will resume talks upon his return. The 35-year-old, who has won six league titles, two League Cups, one Champions League and a Club World Cup, left United after his contract was not renewed at the end of last season. Redknapp told talkSPORT on Tuesday: "He arrives back today so I am going to meet him and hopefully we can get it sorted. "He has not been difficult to deal with. He wants to play and he is not expensive. "He wants to come and play at QPR now so hopefully we can get it done." QPR are also reported to be in- terested in Tottenham defender Michael Dawson, whom Redknapp worked with while he was in charge at White Hart Lane. "I like Michael," Redknapp said. "He is a top player and a great lad as well. You would have Michael in your team any day of the week but we haven't made any offers for Michael." FOOTBALL It'll never work! Cruyff predicts Messi-Neymar- Suarez disaster WITH Luis Suarez signing from Liverpool, the Uruguay interna- tional is expected to play alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar in what many would consider a formidable front-three. However, the former Blaugrana player and coach has insisted that the trio are too individualistic to function properly as a unit. "I can't see how Barca intends to continue playing the same way, with a keen focus on team play if Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez are in the side," he told De Telegraaf. "The three of them are too indi- vidual. In signing him, the club are showing a preference for individual genius over a team that plays great football." Suarez, Neymar and Messi Rio Ferdinand