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Reds splash out on Dutch and Israeli international stars

Liverpool signed forward Ryan Babel and midfielder Yossi Benayoun on Thursday.

Babel, who can play as a winger or striker, was due to sign a five-year contract yesterday, Liverpool said after he passed a medical exam and agreed to personal terms on Thursday.

He moves from Ajax, who said the transfer fee was 17 million euros (US$23 million).

Benayoun signed a four-year deal, Liverpool said. British media reports said it was worth ?5 million (US$10.1 million).

The 20-year-old Babel has scored four goals in 14 appearances for the Netherlands, including one on his debut against Romania in 2005.

He was also a member of the Dutch team that won the under-21 European Championship last month.

Speaking to Ajax TV, Babel said he had "made a choice with my heart" after visiting Liverpool. But he added he was leaving Amsterdam "with pain in my heart."

Babel joined Ajax as a youth player and progressed through the club's training academy.

At Liverpool, Babel will play alongside Netherlands teammate Dirk Kuyt.

Benayoun moved to West Ham in 2005 from Spanish club Racing Santander. The Israel captain began his career at Hapoel Beer Sheva, and then moved to Maccabi Haifa.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez said he hoped Benayoun would add more creativity to the club's forward play. He said players and fans were impressed with how Benayoun played during Liverpool's FA Cup final win over West Ham last year.

"He was offered a big new contract at West Ham and received offers from a lot of other clubs offering him more money but Yossi's message was always the same," Benitez said. "He said he was desperate to only join Liverpool because this was his dream."

"This is the kind of attitude we and our supporters really like. When you have quality players with his ability showing so much passion to play for your club, it's really good for the team," he said.
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