Winger Assaidi arrives at Liverpool

Liverpool FC have strengthened ahead of their UEFA Europa League play-off tie against Heart of Midlothian FC by signing Oussama Assaidi from sc Heerenveen.

"I'm very happy to play for this big club," Assaidi told the Liverpool website. "It will be a dream to play with these big players and I hope training will help me become a better player. When I watch Liverpool it's always a good atmosphere, the fans are fantastic and I'm happy to be here."

The 24-year-old winger, who scored 20 goals in 79 appearances for the Eredivisie side, has put pen to paper on a four-year deal and is Brendan Rodgers' third summer signing, following the arrivals of Fabio Borini and Joe Allen. Capped eight times for Morocco since making his international debut in 2011, Assaidi was instrumental in Heerenveen securing UEFA Europa League football themselves last term, as they finished fifth.

Meanwhile, Slovakian international defender Martin Skrtel has pledged his future to the club by signing a new long-term deal. "I hope I can create history at this club and that the fans will always remember me - that's my target for the future," he said. Since joining the Reds from FC Zenit St Petersburg in 2008, the 27-year-old has made 127 appearances, scoring five times.