Finnan believes he can fulfil his ambitions at Anfield

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND defender Steve Finnan believes he can achieve all of his playing ambitions with new club, Liverpool.

The Anfield side yesterday confirmed the £3.5 million signing of Irish full-back Finnan from Fulham.

The 27-year-old has been a long-term target for Gerard Houllier and will become a Liverpool player at the end of this month.

Finnan's arrival is the first stage of Houllier's rebuilding plans after Liverpool's failure to clinch a place in the Champions League.

And the Irish man is relishing the prospect.

"I have to say that I'm very, very happy to be joining such a great club. It really is a wonderful move for me and I'm certain that I'll enjoy some highly successful years here at Anfield.

"I desperately want to win things in my career and I genuinely feel that I'm now at a place where I can achieve all of my ambitions.

"When you think of teams capable of winning the Premiership, Liverpool are always a club that's in the frame.

"They may not be in the Champions League, but this team can do well in the UEFA Cup, as well as challenging for every honour in the British game.

"That's why I came here it's a club that is used to winning."

Pulling on that famous red shirt for the first time especially at Anfield will certainly be a moment to treasure, Finnan told icons.com.

Anfield chief executive Rick Parry believes the new arrival is a welcome addition to the side. and has 22 Irish caps.

The Limerick-born star started his career with non-league Welling and was "Steve is a very talented player who we were eager to bring to Anfield.

"We are pleased he has agreed to join us and look forward to seeing him in action next season."

Finnan played more than 200 games for Fulham snapped up by Birmingham before being sold to Notts County for £300,000 in 1997, having played just 15 games for the midlanders.

Liverpool are believed to have beaten Manchester United to sign Finnan, who will link up with Christian Damiano the one-time assistant manager at Fulham set to become first-team coach at Anfield for next season.