Liverpool Confirms Kolo Toure Signing In Free Transfer

Liverpool FC of the Premier League confirmed Monday that they will sign former Manchester City defender Kolo Toure on a free transfer once the market opens on July 1st. The move for Toure will give the Reds much needed depth in their defense as they look to return to prominence in England’s top league.

Liverpool regularly finishes in the top 10 of the Premier League table, but the club hasn’t won the league title since the 1989-90 season. At that time, the league was known as the First Division, and it didn’t change to the Premier League until 1992.

Kolo Toure is an exceptional defender who’s spent each of the last four seasons with his brother Yaya at Manchester City. Yaya Toure still remains at City, but his older brother Kolo is now set to join the Reds next season.

Kolo began his career at Arsenal before making the move to City in 2009, where he’s been ever since. He’s spent each of his 11 seasons in the Premier League, and he will remain in England’s top league as he joins Liverpool in July.

The 32-year-old has 11 career goals and nine assists in 308 career Premier League matches, and he’s also played for the Côte d’Ivoire national team since 2000.

“Liverpool Football Club can today announce they have agreed a deal in principle with Kolo Toure to join the club on July 1,” the club said in a statement about their newest defender.

The once club captain at City will join the Reds on a free transfer after agreeing to the deal, ending his run next to his brother on the pitch. Though Kolo Toure was very successful and gained the support of City fans during his time at the Etihad Stadium, he also failed a drug test in 2011 and was suspended for six months.

He’s since returned and played quite well, even though he only appeared in 15 Premier League matches this season. His time on the pitch has steadily declined at City over the years, so a move to Liverpool may be just what he needs.

Do you think Livepool has made the right decision by bringing in defender Kolo Toure?

[Image via Creative Commons | Ailura]