Liverpool bring in Coutinho from Inter
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Article summary
Coutinho said joining Liverpool FC from FC Internazionale Milano is a "very important step in my career" after he put pen to paper on a long-term contract with the English club.
Article top media content
Article body
Liverpool FC have signed Coutinho from fellow UEFA Europa League contenders FC Internazionale Milano for a reported fee of €9.9m.
The attacking midfielder, capped once by Brazil, has agreed a long-term contract with the Anfield club to become the Reds' second acquisition of the January transfer window following the arrival of Daniel Sturridge from Chelsea FC.
A product of the CR Vasco da Gama academy, the 20-year-old was bought by Inter at the age of 16, but did not move to San Siro until he turned 18 in June 2010. He was ever-present the following summer as Brazil won the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia, and then spent the second half of last season on loan at RCD Espanyol. He leaves the Nerazzurri having scored three times in 28 Serie A outings.
"I'm feeling very happy. It's a very important step in my career and I'm expecting to come here and play good football to give my contribution on the pitch," Coutinho told the Liverpool website.
Coutinho made five appearances, scoring against Neftçi PFK, as Andrea Stramaccioni's Inter side topped UEFA Europa League Group H earlier this term. His former employers face CFR 1907 Cluj in the round of 32 on 14 and 21 February, with Liverpool taking on FC Zenit St Petersburg on the same dates.
