Lazar Markovic

[cream]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/liverpool/10969177/Lazar-Markovic-completes-transfer-to-Liverpool-in-20m-move-from-Benfica.html

Lazar Markovic completes transfer to Liverpool in £20m move from Benfica

Serbian winger has completed medical at Anfield as Liverpool continue to reinvest the funds from the sale of Luis Suarez to Barcelona

By Chris Bascombe5:23PM BST 15 Jul 2014

Benfica have announced the completion of Liverpool’s £20 million purchase of Serbian winger Lazar Markovic.
The Portuguese club say they received €12.5 million (£9.9 million) for their 50 per cent share in the 20-year-old, who was joint-owned with an investment fund linked to superagent Pini Zahavi while playing at the Stadium of Light.
“Benfica announces that it has reached agreement with Liverpool FC for the outright transfer of sports rights and 50% of the economic rights of Lazar Markovic,” read the statement.
In line with Premier League rules, Liverpool take full ownership of the player’s contract, ending the third party ownership arrangement at his previous club.
A further statement is expected from the Anfield club shortly, Markovic having spent the last 24 hours on Merseyside undergoing a medical and completing the formalities of the deal.

[cream]

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jul/15/liverpool-sign-lazar-markovic-benfica-20m

Liverpool set to complete £20m Lazar Markovic signing from Benfica

Liverpool are set to announce the signing of the Serbian winger Lazar Markovic from Portugal after Benfica released a statement confirming they have sold their 50% stake in the player for €12.5m (£10m).

The 20-year-old had his medical on Merseyside on Monday and posted pictures of himself in a Liverpool shirt on his Facebook account. The deal is expected to be announced imminently, with a further €12.5m due to be paid to third-party owenrs including the “super agent” Pini Zahavi.

Markovic’s arrival will take manager Brendan Rodgers’ spending close to £60m after the signings of Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana and Emre Can, while negotiations are continuing in an attempt to sign the Belgium striker Divock Origi from Lille.

[Cormack74]

I hope this bloke turns out to be as good as I think he will be.

From what I've seen he has a good chance.

[Alex]

[Beary]

[ame="https://twitter.com/LFC/status/489092381166149632"]https://twitter.com/LFC/status/489092381166149632[/ame]

[Beary]

No # yet

[Shaggy]

Liverpool FC are delighted to announce the signing of 20-year-old Serbia international Lazar Markovic from Portuguese side Benfica.

The versatile attacker, who is capable of excelling in any forward position, joins the Reds on a long-term deal after a season of remarkable success with the Lisbon-based club.

Markovic clocked up 49 appearances during the 2013-14 campaign and contributed seven goals as Benfica sealed a domestic treble and reached the Europa League final.

Having quickly graduated through his country's youth ranks, the Cacak native made his international debut in February 2012 and is now a regular for his national team.

He becomes Brendan Rodgers' fourth signing of the summer to date, following the confirmation of Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana and Emre Can as new players for next season.

After completing a medical and the formalities of his switch at Melwood, Markovic told Liverpoolfc.com: "I am very happy that I have joined such a great club.

"I hope that I will fulfil the expectations of the supporters, coaches, players and all connected to the club. I have seen what the players are like, I have seen what the supporters are like, and I cannot wait to start playing here."

[Shaggy]

http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/166373-rodgers-markovic-deal-is-exciting

Rodgers: Markovic deal is exciting

Liverpool have added a player of proven European quality to their squad in the form of Lazar Markovic, Brendan Rodgers believes.

The forward inked a long-term deal at Melwood on Tuesday to complete his move from Benfica and become the Reds' fourth summer signing.

Rodgers feels he has acquired a 20-year-old who will prove to be an exciting addition to the ranks - but is confident there's much more to come from Markovic.

The boss told Liverpoolfc.com: "This is an exciting signing for us and one that improves our squad, in terms of attacking options, for the coming season.

"He was hugely impressive for Benfica last season and has proved he has the ability to produce the goods in European competition as well, which will be important for us.

"Lazar is flexible to play a number of positions, but I like the way he attacks games and is always positive and looking to make something happen. He will fit in with the way we play at Liverpool.

"Getting him at such a young age is also very pleasing for us, because we will be able to work with him to develop his talent within our group and improve him even further.

"He is the sort of character who is hungry to get better and progress; this is what we look for in players."

[red evil kenevil]

Excited about this signing hope he lives up to the hype

[dom9]

Proof right there that football agents are the world's ultimate leaches.

[RedAndWhite]

I hope this bloke turns out to be as good as I think he will be.

From what I've seen he has a good chance.

And with Brendan in charge he has a good chance of fulfilling his potential. Really look forward to watching us again this season.

[Shaggy]

http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/166356-lazar-markovic-the-first-interview

Lazar Markovic: The first interview

Lazar Markovic has set his sights on maintaining a unique personal record by helping Liverpool go one better in the Barclays Premier League this season.

The 20-year-old forward completed his transfer from Benfica on Tuesday after signing a long-term deal at Melwood.

He arrives with an already impressive CV, which boasts league title winning medals in each of his four professional seasons so far with Partizan and Benfica.

Moments after putting pen to paper on his contract, Markovic sat down with Liverpoolfc.com at the club's training complex to speak about his switch to Merseyside.

LFCTV GO subscribers can watch the chat with the Serbia international in full by clicking play on the embedded video below. Need a subscription? Sign up now. Alternatively, you can read the full transcript below.

Lazar, welcome to Liverpool Football Club. How do you feel to have signed for this club?

I am very happy that I have joined such a great club. I hope that I will fulfil the expectations of the supporters, coaches, players and all connected to the club.

Did you watch Liverpool win in Istanbul? It was amazing wasn't it?

Yes it was amazing, a game that will never be forgotten.

What was your reaction when you found out Liverpool were interested in you?

I was delighted and increased my efforts in playing and training at the prospect of joining such a great club.

What was the biggest surprise in joining Liverpool?

Being asked to join! It is a surprise being here.

How exciting is the prospect of now getting the opportunity to play in the Premier League?

The Premier League is the strongest league in the world, and so I am very happy to be here.

And the Champions League, too. You must be looking forward to experiencing that? Are you? Hmm?

I have already played in the Champions League with Benfica. It is superb that Liverpool are in it and I hope we will go far next season.

Have you had a chance to catch up with the manager, Brendan Rodgers? What has he said to you?

Nothing special. He told me what position I will be playing in the team and I am here to fulfil his expectations.

We know you can play in a few positions, but which would be your preference?

I do not mind. The left side is preferable, but I will play wherever I am asked.

What do you think you can offer Liverpool?

It is not my place to say, really, but hopefully my contribution on the pitch will show.

Liverpool had an excellent campaign last year, finishing second. Did you follow it from Portugal?

I watched every game and they played absolutely superb. It is a shame they did not win the title - but I hope we will win it this season.

Which players are you most excited to play alongside?

I was going to say Suarez but he's ****ed off! I could not favour any one of them. They are all equally good...but maybe the captain, Gerrard, as he is the team's leader.

You spent one season with Benfica, how important was that for you?

It was very important because if it wasn't for Benfica, I probably wouldn't be here. This is my opportunity to say thank you to all the players, president and all involved at the club.

You've won the league title in each of your four seasons as a professional. Which of those gave you the most experience and the basis to get here now to Liverpool?

There isn't one in particular, really. All were hard work and I benefited from each of them - and all of which have resulted in me being here today.

You have never played at Anfield before, how excited are you about the prospect of that?

I have seen what the players are like, I have seen what the supporters are like, and now I cannot wait to start playing there.

Have you spoken to your international teammates Matija Nastasic and Nemanja Matic, who play for Manchester City and Chelsea respectively, about playing in the Premier League?

I spoke to them both a couple of days ago and they are very happy that I am here, and I am looking forward to playing against them.

What would your message to Liverpool fans be?

I went to Partizan and won the title. I went to Benfica and won the title. Now I have joined Liverpool and want to win the title, 100 per cent.

Finally - just reiterate to the fans how amazing Istanbul was and what it will feel like to walk out in front of the best fans in the world?

Amazing.

[Boogs]

Interesting bit on 3rd party ownership and how it's affecting European clubs are using 3rd party ownership to better the squad albeit for a short period of time.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/liverpool/10969026/Liverpools-20m-signing-Lazar-Markovic-always-seemed-destined-for-Stamford-Bridge-not-Anfield.html

[Pippo]

Leaning.

[Roboklopp]

Welcome dude.

Big boots to fill.