Riise heads to Roma

John Arne Riise’s Liverpool career is over after Roma agreed a deal to sign the left-back on a four-year contract for just under £4m.

The Norway international is set to join the Italian club on July 1 according to the Serie A side, although the Merseysiders have yet to confirm the 27-year-old’s departure.

“Liverpool are awaiting completion of the necessary paperwork before officially announcing John Arne Riise’s transfer to AS Roma,” said the club in a statement.

However, that did not stop Roma going public with news of the deal.

A statement on the club’s website, www.asroma.it, read: “AS Roma announce they have reached an agreement with Liverpool for the acquisition of the sporting rights of the player John Arne Riise with effect from July 1 2008.

“AS Roma will also pay Liverpool Football Club the following sums: €100,000 per season should Roma qualify for the UEFA Champions League in 2009/10 and 2010/11.

“Furthermore, Liverpool will also receive €75,000 for every 25 official matches the player participates in, up to a maximum of €300,000.”

Riise leaves Merseyside after seven seasons with Liverpool, whom he joined from Ligue 1 side Monaco in 2001.

He won the Champions League in 2005 and the FA Cup in 2006 in his time at Anfield but has suffered indifferent form in the last couple of years and with Liverpool on the verge of signing Udinese left-back Andrea Dossena he was told at the end of last season he was surplus to requirements.