Wily Benitez hails Philipp Degen as shrewd slice of business for Liverpool

Jul 5 2008 by Richard Williamson, Liverpool Daily Post

Footballer Philipp Degen, Switzerland _320

ON the first anniversary of the day Fernando Torres arrived at Anfield in a record-breaking £28million deal, manager Rafael Benitez has hailed the potential of a player who cost the club nothing.

Defender Philipp Degen has been signed on a Bosman deal from Borussia Dortmund and met his new team-mates at Melwood for the first time yesterday.

The Swiss international has become Liverpool’s first official signing of the summer after putting pen to paper on a four year-deal.

He had been offered a new deal by the German side, but was keen to test himself in the Premier League with Liverpool.

Benitez is delighted to have added to his squad a player who won three league titles and a domestic cup winner’s medal during his time at first club Basel and believes the added strength in depth will give added momentum to the drive for the Premier League title in the new season.

“We were working to try and find this kind of player in the full-back position with the ability to push forward, so I think he is a good signing,” explained Benitez.

“It was another good acquisition through the scouting department because it is another Bosman player.

“The season before last we were watching him and we knew he would be a good addition. But we made our move this year because it was a better situation in terms of the contracts, so it was straightforward.”