Full-back Fábio Aurélio has re-signed for UEFA Europa League contenders Liverpool FC on a two-year contract after leaving as a free agent in May.

Aurélio parted company with the Anfield outfit having failed to agree a new deal, but the Brazilian now returns to the fold after impressing Liverpool's new manager Roy Hodgson in training. "I feel very pleased and proud," said the 30-year-old former Valencia CF and São Paulo FC defender.

"It feels like I am signing for the first time – everything has changed so it is like a new beginning for me, with new confidence and a new boss. Hopefully I can do well this season. My aim is to help the team do better than last season. Everything is going really well, so I think we can progress a lot."

Hodgson has made three signings since being named Rafael Benítez's successor last month. Joe Cole joined from Chelsea FC on a free transfer, defender Danny Wilson arrived from Rangers FC and Milan Jovanović has come in from R. Standard de Liège. Liverpool have a 2-0 lead going into the second leg of their UEFA Europa League third qualifying round tie against FK Rabotnicki on Thursday.