Martin Skrtel puts pen to paper on long-term contract

Martin Skrtel has signed a new long-term contract with Liverpool, dismissing interest from Manchester City and Fiorentina.

The 27-year old Slovakian international has decided to commit his long term future with the Merseyside club.

‘I’m happy because I am a part of one of the biggest clubs in the world,’ said Skrtel, speaking to the club’s official website.

‘After last season there was a lot of talk about my future but I have to say that the first priority for me was always to sign a new deal with Liverpool.

‘I have been here almost four-and-a-half years and I have enjoyed that time here – myself and also my family – so there were no questions about whether to stay or to leave.

‘A lot of things have changed, a new manager (Brendan Rodgers) has come and I think we can start to make history and I want to be a part of that history.

‘We have our target. For this season it is the top four and I hope we can do it. Then we will see.

‘I think Brendan Rodgers showed his quality with Swansea and now he’s carrying on doing that at Liverpool.

‘He’s showed he’s a great manager and I hope we can play better football than we did in the last seasons and I hope we can get our target.’