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England midfielder James Milner will be joining Liverpool on a free transfer from Manchester City. He will move to the Merseyside club officially on July 1, after his contract at City expires at the end of this month.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers had been targeting him since last summer, and will be happy to have completed some business very early into the transfer window. Milner reportedly refused a new contract at Manchester City, one that would have seen him earn up to £165,000 a week. Arsenal were also said to be interested in his signature, but the former Villa man had decided on moving to Anfield.
In an official statement, the club said, “Liverpool Football Club are delighted to announce they have agreed a deal to sign Manchester City’s James Milner, subject to a medical. The Reds have agreed personal terms with the England international, who will join the club on a free transfer on 1 July after his contract at the Etihad Stadium has expired.”
Although his contract with Liverpool is said to be worth up to £150,000 a week, the midfielder was keen on the move, as he wanted regular football, in his central midfield role. Another factor was the fact that his family is settled in the north-west, so it didn’t involve them having to move.
The signing comes as the first step of Rodgers wanting to add more experienced Premier League players to his team, as he looks to rebuild the team after a disastrous last season. Milner was disillusioned with life at the Etihad, where he was a valued member, but couldn’t get a regular starting berth.
