DANIEL STURRIDGE declared he is at “humongous” Liverpool for the long haul – with the striker’s arrival set to spark a busy transfer window for Brendan Rodgers.
Sturridge completed his expected £12m move from Chelsea by putting pen to paper on a long-term contract at Anfield.
The 23-year-old England international became the fourth major permanent signing of Rodgers’ fledgling reign and will provide much-needed support for main striker Luis Suarez. Sturridge has gained a nomadic reputation having struggled to nail down a regular starting role at Stamford Bridge or previous club Manchester City.
But the forward, who impressed during a loan spell at Bolton Wanderers in 2011, is intent on a lengthy stay to repay the faith shown in him by his new manager.
“I am humbled and happy to be here,” said Sturridge, who will wear the number 15 shirt.
“Brendan Rodgers said he sees me here for a long time – and I also see myself here for a long time.
“I've not signed here to play for a couple of years and then move on.
“I've signed to be here for as long as possible. It's a humongous club – for me, one of the biggest in the world – and to have the fans and world-class players we have here is amazing.
“I'm just happy the manager has put faith in me. He is the first manager to actually pay for me and sign me, so I can't ask for anymore from him or the club in bringing me here.”
Sturridge, a product of City’s academy, moved to Chelsea in July 2009 as one of Carlo Ancelotti’s first signings for a fee that was later set by an FA tribunal. He scored 24 goals in 96 appearances for the Londoners, and was an unused substitute last season in both the FA Cup final win over Liverpool and the Champions League final success against Bayern Munich.
Sturridge made his full international debut against Sweden in November 2011 and has since collected three more caps. Last summer scored twice for Great Britain at the Olympic Games.
The forward hasn’t played since November due to injury, and he added: “I just can't wait for the games to start rolling on. I've not played for a while – I've had a couple of injuries over the last few months – but I'm just happy now to join such a great club, to be part of a revolution and to be part of something new and something special.
