Liverpool complete Bellamy signing

Liverpool have completed the signing of Blackburn striker Craig Bellamy on a four-year contract.

The Welsh international signed the contract after agreeing personal terms for a deal thought to be in the region of £6m.

Bellamy was quoted on the Reds website as saying "The fact that it was Liverpool made it impossible for me to turn them down.

"As I'm a fan, it doesn't matter what club I was at. I could never turn Liverpool down."

Blackburn's Mark Hughes gave Bellamy permission to talk to the Anfield club after their offer met contractual conditions.

Bellamy's contract at Ewood Park was thought to include a clause, active until June 30, that allowed him to speak to any club offering £6m.

Liverpool are understood to have offered that amount, paving the way for contract negotiations to begin.

Bellamy scored 17 goals in 26 league and cup starts for Rovers last season.

Bellamy's arrival will signal competition for places, with England forward Peter Crouch also vying for a starting spot.

The challenge for Liverpool will be to control the temprement of the volatile player

Craig is quick, a nightmare for defenders to mark, never gives anything up and knows how to score goals.Robbie Fowler told the bbc

"If we are going to overhaul Chelsea, we need plenty of competition for places and Craig's arrival will keep us all on our toes."