For the second time in two summers, Liverpool have officially signed a veteran English player before the transfer window is even open. Last year's signing, Rickie Lambert, still has yet to find a real place in manager Brendan Rodgers' squad and could soon be on his way out, but fans will hope that James Milner will make the transition a bit more smoothly and a bit more successfully.
Milner has agreed personal terms with Liverpool today and, pending a medical, officially moves to the club on July 1 after his current contract with Manchester City expires. It is believed City offered Milner a deal that was much more than what he's agreed to with Liverpool, but the promise of increased playing time seems to have been a dealbreaker, with City's incredibly talented squad providing fewer minutes than Milner would have liked.
There's no word yet on the official contract length or wages, with conflicting reports suggesting anywhere from £100-150k a week, but Milner brings with him experience, not just in terms of length of career but of winning things. Milner also brings with him more than a half-century of England caps, and joins fellow England internationals Adam Lallana, Jordan Henderson, Raheem Sterling, and (sometimes) Rickie Lambert in the side.
Welcome, James!
Brendan Rodgers said Do you want to sign for Liverpool? I said I'll think about it. Then I thought about it, then I said Yes. He said Great.
— Boring James Milner (@BoringMilner) June 4, 2015