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Reds complete Cisse deal

Liverpool have formally completed the signing of France international striker Djibril Cisse from Le Championnat side Auxerre.

The £14 million man has arrived at Anfield despite doing all his negotiating with former manager Gerard Houllier.

Record-signing Cisse has still vowed to give his all for new Reds boss Rafael Benitez, and has now officially sealed his move to Merseyside.

"The club can confirm that Djibril Cisse is a Liverpool player with effect from today," said a statement on the club website.

The 22-year-old has been earmarked as a Liverpool player for a couple of years and says that he is now delighted to have finally sealed his dream move.

A number of other clubs had been interested in Cisse but he says that he was always going to join The Reds.

"I already love Liverpool, this is the club where I want to play," Cisse told the club website.

"A few clubs have been interested but I always wanted to play in England, particularly for Liverpool because I first heard of their interest two years ago.

"They were the only ones at the time. I gave my word to Liverpool and I am a man of my word."

The new Liverpool number nine hopes to see his new club challenging for the Premiership title next term, and hopes to fire in a hatful of goals along the way.

He is looking forward to playing alongside England striker Michael Owen, and is praying he will commit his future to Anfield.

"For me, it would be a pleasure to play alongside Michael Owen. Just to be with him in training would be great.

"I would love him to stay at Liverpool. With Owen, I feel we can do a good job. He is a great player and we are going to do good things.

"Liverpool will be at the top this season and to win the championship will be perfect. I am looking forward to my first game with Liverpool."

Reds fans will hope that Cisse can continue his prolific scoring record at Anfield and, with Milan Baros also in sparkling form for Czech Republic at Euro 2004, they have high hopes for their attacking capabilities next term.

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