PLAYER PROFILE

Alvaro Arbeloa

Position: Defence

Height: 6'1

Weight: 12st 6lbs

Date of Birth: 1983-01-17 Salamanca, Spain

Alvaro Arbeloa

Spanish defender Alvaro Arbeloa signed for Liverpool from Deportivo la Coruna in January 2007, having made 20 appearances in La Liga in the 2006/07 season.

"Until yesterday I wasn't sure whether I was going to leave or not," he said. "My agent told me the deal was very advanced and I was then told that the deal had been reached between both clubs.

"For me this is a beautiful challenge and I hope everything goes well. It's a huge leap for me."

His first half-season at Anfield was mildly successful as he played 12 games and scored once, and he continued his development in 2007/08 with a string of fine displays.

Arbeloa maintained his form into 2008/09, continuing as a regular in the Liverpool team, although an on-field row with Jamie Carragher towards the end of the campaign was followed by talk of a summer move to Real Madrid.