Mascherano joins Liverpool at last

Liverpool FC have completed the signing of Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano after the transfer was ratified by the English Premier League today.

Few opportunities
The 22-year-old Mascherano was granted special FIFA dispensation to move to Anfield on 31 January in spite of a rule that players cannot play competitively for more than two different clubs between 1 July and 30 June the following year. He had been at West Ham United FC since September after joining in a surprise double transfer with forward Carlos Tévez from SC Corinthians. While Tévez has been a regular for West Ham, when fit, Mascherano appeared just five times in the Premiership and twice in the UEFA Cup.

'Contractual arrangements'