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Sep 2 2008 EXCLUSIVE by Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo * 1 * 2 * next » Albert Riera ALBERT RIERA today spoke for the first time about his "dream" move to Anfield. The 26-year-old left winger completed his £8m transfer to Liverpool from Espanyol yesterday and signed a four year contract with the Reds. Rafa Benitez is delighted to have got his man and has already backed Riera to add a new dimension to Liverpool's attacking play. The Reds boss enjoyed a successful day in the transfer market as he managed to recruit his one remaining major target while seeing Steve Finnan and Andriy Voronin head through the exit door. The only disappointment for Benitez was Jermaine Pennant’s failure to agree terms with Blackburn , causing the proposed £4m transfer to collapse. Riera, though, is delighted that his transfer came off and is now looking forward to pull on the number 11 shirt for the first time. He told the ECHO: "It is a dream for me to sign for Liverpool because everyone knows what a special club they are. As soon as I knew they were interested in me I knew there was only one club that I wanted to sign for and thankfully it has now happened. "I know I will have to work very hard to get into the team because there are a lot of good players here but that is a challenge I am looking forward to. It feels really good to be a Liverpool player and I am really happy to be at this club. "I am looking forward to working with the manager and the players. Benitez is thrilled with yesterday's capture and is hopeful Riera can add the kind of width which Liverpool have been sorely lacking in the early weeks of the new season. "Riera has the qualities we were looking for," said the Reds boss. “He's a left footer who normally plays on the left wing. He's good in the air, strong, powerful and a good crosser of the ball. "He's the kind of player we have been talking about. He can beat players and get good deliveries into the area. "We've known about him for a long time, since he was at Mallorca and then with Bordeaux, Manchester City and Espanyol. "He can talk English and of course he knows the Premier League, which is a big bonus. "Usually foreign players need time when they go to a new country, but Riera already knows the league and the style of football. "He also had offers from other English clubs but he said no to them because he wanted to come and play for us. "That means a lot to me because it shows the commitment he has to play for Liverpool." On a busy transfer deadline day, Finnan signed for Espanyol for an undisclosed fee while Voronin joined Hertha Berlin on a one year loan deal. Liverpool also signed 18-year-old Brazilian forward Vitor Flora on a free transfer, although this acquisition is intended to bolster the reserve ranks, not the first team. Second string stopper Peter Gulacsi concluded the day's business at Anfield when he signed a permanent contract with the Reds which will see the Hungarian remain with the club until 2010. Meanwhile, as expected, Fernando Torres has been ruled out of Liverpool's meeting with Man United a week on Saturday due to the hamstring tear he suffered at the weekend. Liverpool's medical staff confirmed that the Spanish striker will be out for two to three weeks. Albert Riera: It is a dream to sign for Liverpool FC - Liverpool Echo.co.uk