Rick Parry revels frantic negotiations behind scenes as Italian signs in

Jul 5 2008 by Richard Williamson, Liverpool Daily Post

Andrea Dossena, Udinese _320

LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez has formally completed his second signing of the summer.

Italian full-back Andrea Dossena has signed a four-year deal at Anfield on the day Swiss international defender Philipp Degen joined his new team-mates at Melwood for training for the first time.

Dossena has been brought in to replace John Arne Riise, who has joined Roma.

The 26-year-old has been capped once at senior level by Italy but is seen as one of the country’s most improved players.

He originally signed for Udinese in 2005, but was loaned out to Treviso FBC 1993 for a year. Since his return, his form earned him his first full cap in a friendly against South Africa in October 2007.

Chief executive Rick Parry insists the two new arrivals do not signal the end of the club’s transfer plans.

“It is extremely busy behind the scenes at Anfield right now as Rafael Benitez and myself work hard on the club's summer plans,” he said.

“We are spending a lot of time together. It is always a little frustrating when deals take longer than you might have hoped because of the complexities of transfers these days. However, fans can rest assured that we are putting in the hours to make things happen.”