official confirm
Riise Signs
Wednesday 13th July 2011
Fulham Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of John Arne Riise on a 3 year deal, for an undisclosed fee, which will see the player at Craven Cottage until the summer of 2014.
Former Liverpool defender, Riise, joins from Italian side AS Roma having spent three seasons at the club following his departure from Anfield in 2008. He began his football career at his homeland club Aalesund before moving to AS Monaco in 2000.
The 30 year-old left-back joined Liverpool in 2001 where he made over 230 appearances between 2001 and 2008. He has experience of playing in the Premier League as well as both prestigious European competitions. He won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005 when Liverpool overcame a 3-0 half-time deficit against AC Milan, to claim victory in a dramatic penalty shoot-out.
Riise scored in the 2006 FA Cup semi final win against Chelsea and lifted the FA Cup with Liverpool, who overcame West Ham United, in the Final that year.
A regular for the Norwegian national team, Riise has made an impressive 96 appearances for his country. He has represented Norway from U15s level up to the senior side. He joins fellow international team mates Brede Hangeland and brother, Bjorn Helge Riise, at Fulham.
Speaking at Fulham Football Club’s training ground this morning, John Arne Riise said:
"I’m delighted to have completed my transfer to Fulham this morning and am looking forward to playing in the Premier League once again.
"Fulham is a Club that I have been following as my brother, Bjorn plays here and he speaks very highly of the Club and the staff. Obviously I also played against the club in the Europa league group stage when they went on to reach the final of the competition.
"I know that the Club is ambitious, and continues to make good progress each year, under the guidance of the Chairman Mohamed Al Fayed. I am looking forward to working with Martin Jol and the rest of the squad when I report to training next week."
Martin Jol added:
"John Arne Riise is an experienced international left-back who will bring a number of qualities to our squad and provide more options for me.
"He is used to performing at the very highest level for both club and country, and is an accomplished player defensively, who can also contribute to our attacking play.
"I am extremely happy that we’ve been able to add him to our squad, and believe that he will prove a valuable addition as we progress."
Read more:
http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/July/RiiseSigns.aspx#ixzz1Rznlef4W
