[lfc-news] Hamann agrees deal - Echo

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Liverpool Echo, 9 June 2005
Hamann agrees deal
EXCLUSIVE by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

DIDI HAMANN today extended his Liverpool career for a possible two years
and vowed: "Now I want to complete my Anfield medal collection."

Hamann has agreed a one-year deal which gives the club an option of
keeping him for an additional season in 2006-07.

The German, nicknamed 'The Kaiser', turned down overtures from Bolton
and Everton to re-commit himself to the Rafalution.

Bundesliga outfit Hamburg also failed with a late bid.

The 31-year-old has won every domestic and European club honour since
his £8m arrival at Anfield from Newcastle in 1999.

There is just one notable exception - the Premiership title - but Hamann
is sure he can put this right in the next two years.

"Once Liverpool made me an offer, there was only one place I wanted to
play my football," Hamann told the ECHO today. "I always said the first
club I would speak to about my future was Liverpool because I wanted to
stay.

"The gaffer said we would wait until after the final before we had a
meeting and that's what we did. We came to an agreement instantly. I'll
be here next season and hopefully for the next two years.

"I'm delighted the manager wanted to keep me. I read a lot about other
clubs being interested, but I couldn't imagine playing for any club in
England. "

After the Champions League triumph in May, Hamann insists nothing should
be ruled out as supporters ponder a seemingly unlikely title challenge
next season.

He said: "It's going to be hard to challenge for the title in the next
two seasons, but let's give it a go. The Premiership is the only club
competition I haven't won since I joined Liverpool. I'm desperate for us
to do it.

"The manager has achieved great things already by winning the Champions
League and I know he's planning to bring in new players for next season.

"If we can settle quickly and everyone starts working together
tactically early on, who knows what can happen? Who would have predicted
we would win the Champions League a year ago?

"Maybe we can surprise the top three. It's going to be tough to do that,
but I think we'll improve a lot."

Hamann is currently having treatment for a broken bone in his foot,
suffered during the final against AC Milan.

Meanwhile, West Brom will ask Liverpool if they can take Chris Kirkland
on a year's loan.

Kirkland wants to re-establish himself after a series of injuries and a
year's football elsewhere would suit all parties.

With Jose Reina and Scott Carson ahead of him in the pecking order,
Kirkland's immediate Anfield prospects look grim.

Liverpool still haven't officially confirmed if they're the 'unnamed
club' who bid £5m for Peter Crouch, but Rafa Benitez will step up his
pursuit of the striker.

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