RIERA JOINS KHARKIV

Former Liverpool winger Albert Riera has decided to join Ukrainian club Metalist Kharkhiv after being released by Galatasaray. He has been on the books of the Turkish club for the last few years, but poor form has meant that Roberto Mancini did not want to extend his contract.

He was released at the end of the January transfer window. He was for a brief period linked with a return to the Premier league with West Brom showing interest in him. However, he has chosen to move to the Ukrainian league where there is a much better possibility of playing regularly.

Riera is best known for his time at Liverpool when he played under Rafa Benitez. He has also represented the likes of Manchester City and Espanyol as well. However, he has never been at a club for more than three years and this is shown by the 14 clubs he has represented during his career. Riera has had some high moments like scoring for Espanyol in the UEFA cup final against Sevilla in 2007. He made the £ 8 million move to Liverpool in 2008, but it was not a successful period for the winger at Anfield. He was at Liverpool for only two years before being sold.

The 31-year-old has been in and out of the Galatasaray team during the first half of the season. He has made only 13 appearances in all competitions, but he did help the club qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League. “He’s never sorted out a situation with a player by talking with him,” said Riera once about his former manager Rafa Benitez. The Spanish winger will now have the opportunity to challenge for the Ukrainian league title with his new team, who are second in the league, and the possibility of Champions League football also awaits him.