[lfc-news] Hobbs signs pro deal with Reds - PA

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PA Sport, 18 Aug 2005
HOBBS SIGNS PRO DEAL WITH REDS

Overjoyed teenage prospect Jack Hobbs celebrated his 17th birthday by
signing a professional contract with European champions Liverpool on
Thursday.

The imposing 6ft 3in defender has joined from League Two outfit Lincoln
City after completing a successful trial and work experience period
during the past month.

Hobbs put pen to paper on a three-year deal at Anfield this morning
accompanied by his parents, agent and Imps boss Keith Alexander.

The youngster, who played his first competitive game for the Reds during
Tuesday night's 3-2 reserve defeat to Merseyside rivals Everton, told PA
Sport: "It's a big weight off my shoulders to have finally signed a
contract and is brilliant to be able to say I'm now a Liverpool player.

"Three months ago I was watching Liverpool win the Champions League on
television and now I've joined them.

"It's unbelievable and I'm still coming to terms with it, but it's the
best birthday present I could have ever wished for."

Liverpool beat off competition from Barclays Premier League rivals
Arsenal, Tottenham and Bolton to sign the promising teenager.

They will pay Lincoln an initial, undisclosed compensation fee thought
to be around £150,000.

However, the package includes an all-important sell-on clause, which
could net the Imps a potentially massive financial windfall in the future.

Imps chief executive Keith Roe said: "There will also be payments
related to appearances and on-field success and Liverpool will also come
to Sincil Bank next July to play us in a pre-season friendly.

"That guarantees a capacity crowd and should net us between £60,000 and
£80,000."

The acquisition of Hobbs comes amid a low profile summer transfer spree
by Reds boss Rafael Benitez to bolster his reserves following their
disappointing, injury-hit campaign last year.

The emphasis has been firmly on youth and in addition to Hobbs, Benitez
has also brought in Antonio Barragan, who has already tasted first-team
action thisseason, along with 17-year-olds Godwin Antwi and Miguel Rogu e.

The Spaniard wants the club's reserve side to become a breeding ground
for hungry youngsters rather than a team packed with unwanted senior
players.

Hobbs said: "Antonio Barragan has already made his first-team debut in
the Champions League and that's a great inspiration to the rest of us to
try and follow.

"But first and foremost, my aim has to be to work hard and try and
establish myself in the reserves."

Hobbs played only three minutes of first-team football for Lincoln after
joining the club from Mayflower Soccer Academy in Boston as a
nine-year-old in December 1997.

But Liverpool soon became alerted to his rich promise by Anfield chief
scout Frank McParland, who set up an initial trial for the player last
month.

The level-headed youngster has not looked back since and the Liverpool
coaching staff are now looking to convert him from a centre-half into a
holding midfielder.

"I played there against Everton on Tuesday for the reserves and felt I
did okay," said Hobbs, who has also shown a strong talent for cricket
but is no relation to his namesake and former England cricket great Jack
Hobbs.

"Benitez spoke to me at half-time about my positioning and overall I
felt I did quite well.

"I don't mind where I play but I'm taking it as a compliment that
they're trying me out in midfield because it's a test of my ball skills
as well as my defensive ability."

Liverpool reserve coach Hugh McAuley said: "Jack was nice and easy with
his distribution and it's good to have players who can play in different
positions."

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