Liverpool seal Xavier deal

Liverpool FC have completed the signing of Portuguese international defender Abel Xavier in a €1.3m deal from city rivals Everton FC.

Out of contract
The 29-year-old defender, whose Everton contract was due to expire in the summer, agreed terms on a four-year contract with Liverpool and passed a medical. Xavier, who will be eligible to play for Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League, is expected to make his debut against Leeds United AFC on Sunday. 

'A quality player'
Phil Thompson, Liverpool's assistant manager, said of Xavier: "Abel is a quality player and an experienced international. We have been looking to strengthen in defence for a long while. With the prospect of Markus Babbel now not coming back from illness this season, we have been keen to sign another defender and one who can play in the Champions League."

Minimal fee
Xavier joined Everton for €2.6m from PSV Eindhoven in 1999 but made only 49 appearances for the club in two-and-a-half years. Everton were seeking a minimal fee for the player, who rejected a three-year deal to stay at Goodison last week.

Following Barmby
Xavier, whose stay at Everton has been the longest of any during his career, will be the second player in two seasons to leave the club for Liverpool, following in the footsteps of England midfield player Nick Barmby.