Babel completes Hoffenheim switch

Liverpool forward Ryan Babel has completed his move to Hoffenheim after signing a two-and-a-half-year contract, according to the German club.

The Reds accepted a fee for the Holland international, believed to be in the region of £6m, last week but the deal appeared to be off up until late yesterday when the player flew out to finalise contract details.

“The 24-year-old striker signed on Tuesday a contract for two and a half years until June 30 2013 (plus an option for another year),” said a statement on Hoffenheim’s website, www.achtzehn99.de.