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Kolo Toure: Liverpool sign Manchester City defender

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments736

Kolo Toure

Liverpool have completed the signing of Manchester City defender Kolo Toure.

The 32-year-old Ivory Coast international moved to Anfield on a two-year deal after his contract at Etihad Stadium ended.

Toure made 102 appearances for City after joining from Arsenal for £14m in July 2009 and was part of the team that won the Premier League in 2011-12.

But he played only 18 games in 2012-13 and was left out of the club's Champions League squad.

Toure joins the Merseyside club following the retirement of fellow central defender Jamie Carragher and with uncertainty over the future of Slovakia international Martin Skrtel.external-link

He told the club's website: "This means a lot to me. Firstly, I'm joining one of the best clubs in England.

"When I left City it was important for me to stay in England because it's the best league - and to join Liverpool is massive for me.

"I chose Liverpool because of the history and because of the spirit of the team and the people here."

In seven seasons at Arsenal, Toure won the FA Cup twice and was part of the 'Invincibles' squad that went through the 2003-04 season unbeaten to win the Premier League.

However, he missed out on City's 2011 FA Cup success after being suspended for six months in March of that year for failing a drugs test.

Toure is Liverpool's fourth signing of the summer so far, following forwards Luis Alberto and Iago Aspas, and goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.

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736 comments

  • Comment posted by U15739992, at 20:59 28 May 2013

    Replacing one experienced defender with another, makes good sense, means that when LFC buy a young top quality defender later in the summer all the pressure wont be piled on him.

  • Comment posted by U15739994, at 20:59 28 May 2013

    Decent signing considering it's a free transfer.

    I don't imagine he'll be the first choice centre-back but should provide good reliable cover.

    Still fancy LFC to sign another centre back, someone like Kyriakos Papadopoulos who'll really push for a starting spot every week.

  • Comment posted by King kong, at 20:59 28 May 2013

    What a brilliant bit of business, better than spending £15m-£20m on an overated english CB

  • Comment posted by simple, at 20:59 28 May 2013

    Good signing, replace the experience lost when Carragher retired. Besides, it's on a free- can't do any harm!

  • Comment posted by U12466321, at 20:59 28 May 2013

    Why can't Liverpool fans see that this isn't a JC replacement. Or even a starting XI replacement?! It's called cover and squad depth. Something we drastically need. It's not a bad piece of business if his wages aren't too high. At 32 he isn't past it and he has a good reading of the game. Sort it out with your views guys!

  • Comment posted by ajaxtreesdown11, at 21:46 28 May 2013

    78 - TriggRNC - I can forgive the drugs test issue, albeit find it dubious that Kolo/Rio did not know what they where doing. They were both punished.

    The "choc ice" comment on the other hand is one of the most repulsive, divisive and overtly racist comments I have ever heard. Even members of the BNP/EDL cringed when he said that.

    If a "white" person said it, 10 game minimum, or 40 for Suarez.

  • Comment posted by U14832827, at 21:00 28 May 2013

    @7
    "How much will he cost?"

    The same as your knowledge of football. Sweet FA!

  • Comment posted by Zzzzzzzzzz, at 21:01 28 May 2013

    #7

    He's signing on a free. Try reading the article... the bit where it says his contract expires on 1 July is your clue.

  • Comment posted by U15347546, at 21:00 28 May 2013

    Change that "Kolo" for a "Yaya" and then you've got a deal

  • Comment posted by U14835935, at 21:23 28 May 2013

    Good experience, let's hope he's hungry enough to eat less (!) and get fit again and fight for a place.

    "FC Schalke 04 have signed Borussia Dortmund central defender Felipe Santana on a three year contract after triggering the release clause in the 27 year-old’s contract."

    Looks like Papadopoulos is moving on as they've signed a replacement, I hope it's to LFC!

  • Comment posted by U15364296, at 21:02 28 May 2013

    This is a shrewd signing from BR.

    Sure, he's 32, but if he's for free then why not? Need a mature defensive head and Toure has numerous accolades to his name and played, of course, the Invincibles team. On top of that, he's still a class defender on his day. He could really be of use to LFC.

  • Comment posted by Celts, at 23:22 28 May 2013

    Anyone saying he's a reject have to remember they said the same about Coutihno, Sturridge.

  • Comment posted by mrmjvc, at 22:09 28 May 2013

    Amazing how all the loonies come out of the asylum when it's a Liverpool thread. Mainly from non-Liverpool fans. I for one don't get this idea people have that Liverpool fans always go on about "this is our year" or "top 4 for sure". I hardly ever see it, except from people doing it deliberately who aren't real Liverpool fans. P.S. I'm not a Liverpool fan and support a lower league team

  • Comment posted by Mr Red, at 21:16 28 May 2013

    53.

    You sound like a scratched record. Where are all these comments from LFC supporters saying top 2?
    Brendan mentioned top 2 as the ambition months ago. Is it wrong for managers to be ambitious?
    Another point. How is 7th, 8th or 9th mid table? Mid table is 10th. You know, half of 20.
    The only thing that is "sooo funny" is your ignorance.

  • Comment posted by AuntieLeft, at 07:17 29 May 2013

    BBC should open up a HYS board called: Man U bigots against Scousers.
    I have noted that since BBC Sport moved to Manchester this has increased dramatically
    Thank you BBC for allowing mindless twits somewhere to spew their bigoted vile and venom.

  • Comment posted by my_daughters_could_do_ better, at 00:15 29 May 2013

    @179 Words of Wisdom? Who, Norman Wisdom? (Sorry Norman, you were a legend.)

  • Comment posted by Killingholme_Clay , at 23:21 28 May 2013

    195. WordsofWidom

    Toure is a good signing.
    Your name is an ironic parody of puerility. Well done.
    Must be half term.

  • Comment posted by dougiegraham, at 22:48 28 May 2013

    @174 SlutanA

    Still 2 years younger than Ferdinand; on the face of it we r void of leaders & players that have a winning mentality and experience - Toure brings this, we are in a position where a number of quality players abroad will not be attracted by the lack of CL, as soon as agents in the UK know we are sniffing around the estimates skyrocket. We'll have to wait and see on further signings.

  • Comment posted by U14838542, at 07:15 29 May 2013

    @332 Signing Toure isn't designed to get us in to the top 4! It's desgined to give us better squad depth, that way we should be able to challenge better in the league and have players such as Toure on hand to cover when needed and to play in the cup games!
    As Mind the gap stated, even United bought players who were past their peak, but their experience served them well!

  • Comment posted by Elementary my dear haters, at 00:11 29 May 2013

    The naysayers are already scorning this signing.. if that makes you feel better in your small minds, so be it.
    It is a bitter truth that us reds fans have to accept, that is that we are not in a position to make massive signings (Carroll being an unfortunate and pricey exception)

    We cut our cloth accordingly and wait for the team to improve to the point at which we can compete at the top again.

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