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Liverpool sign Manquillo on loan

ESPN staff
August 6, 2014
Pressure on at Anfield

Liverpool have completed their seventh summer signing after securing a two-year loan deal for Atletico Madrid right-back Javier Manquillo.

The 20 year old's move includes an option for Liverpool to make the transfer permanent.

He told Liverpool's official website: "I'm very happy to have signed for a club like Liverpool. It's one of the biggest in Europe. Any footballer would want to come and play here.

Javier Manquillo says he was "absolutely amazed" Liverpool wanted to sign him © Getty Images
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"When they tell you Liverpool want to sign you, like any player, you are going to be absolutely amazed and you don't think of anything else than going straight there.

"It's a team that nowadays, as I said before, any player would want to be a part of.

"The immediate objective is to do the best I possibly can here. I've come here to try and secure a place for myself in the side and, if possible, stay here for many more years in the future."

Manquillo's arrival follows the signings of Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana, Emre Can, Lazar Markovic, Dejan Lovren and Divock Origi this summer, as manager Brendan Rodgers prepares for Liverpool's return to the Champions League after a five-year absence.

His arrival will give Rodgers an extra option at right-back along with Glen Johnson and Jon Flanagan.

Manquillo started out in Real Madrid's youth set-up, but after they released his twin brother Victor in 2007, he decided to leave and join city rivals Atletico.

He established himself as a regular in Atletico's B team, playing in the Spanish third tier, and has also featured for the senior side a handful of times over the last two seasons, but he is relatively inexperienced at senior level, playing three games in the league last season as Atletico were crowned Spanish champions on the final day.

A statement on Atletico's official website read: "He will earn valuable playing time in the Premier League to further develop his ability.

"From our club we wish the young full-back the best of luck in this new stage of his career."

Manquillo was also a member of the Spain side that won the UEFA European Under-19 Championship in 2012.

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