FERNANDO MORIENTES OFFICIALLY LEFT

gasband

26 May 06, 09:40

For an undisclosed sum.

FROM PLANETFOOTBALL:

Liverpool have cut their losses on Fernando Morientes and sold the striker to Valencia.

Morientes' Anfield future has been the subject of intense scrutiny in recent weeks following a lacklustre time with The Reds.

His agent appeared to intimate earlier this week that the 30-year-old would see out the remaining two years on his contract with the Premiership club.

But Liverpool have now agreed to sell Morientes to Valencia for an undisclosed fee, after the forward was also linked with Real Betis and Espanyol.

Reds boss Rafa Benitez splashed out Â£6.3 million to bring Morientes to Merseyside from Real Madrid in January 2005.

Morientes, though, failed to provide a significant return on the investment as he mustered just 12 goals in 61 appearances.

He struggled to adjust to the demands of Premiership football and has now returned to La Liga, where he forged a reputation as one of the most consistent goalscorers in the European game.

The length of Morientes' contract has yet to be revealed and the move will be a boost to the player, who missed out on Spain's World Cup squad.

His last appearance for Liverpool was in the FA Cup final when he came on as a substitute in the penalty shoot-out success over West Ham United.

dragg

26 May 06, 09:41

he is a great player. too bad he failed at liverpool.

i believe he can revive his career back in spain.

X-men

26 May 06, 09:48

He really not meant for English soccer.

He was given the chance, a pity he did not live up to expectation. Neutral