Liverpool have completed the loan signing of Nuri Sahin from Real Madrid.

Sahin, 23, had attracted interest from Arsenal and Tottenham but Liverpool confirmed on Saturday morning that they had agreed a season-long loan deal with the Spanish champions.

The Turkey international passed a medical later in the day and the formalities of the transfer have now been confirmed.

Sahin told the Liverpool official website: "I know a lot about Liverpool Football Club - I know it is a very big club with a huge history, with big players and big trophies. When they won the biggest trophy in 2005, I was in the stadium in Istanbul. It was my first taste of Liverpool.

"That year, I won the European Under-17 Championship with Turkey, so we were invited by the Turkish Football Federation to watch the game.

"We were sitting near to where the Liverpool fans were and it was just a crazy, crazy night. It was then I saw what football and Liverpool Football Club means to the people."

Sahin also revealed that he had spoken to former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso "a lot of times" before making the move.

"Xabi is a person who really cares about football," he said. "He's in love with football. I'm the same, and that's why we had a lot of conversations.

"When I arrived at Real Madrid, we spoke about German football and Italian football. He likes football! When he heard Liverpool were interested in me, he started telling me about Liverpool.

"He is still in love with Liverpool Football Club, I think. It's crazy how he was telling me about Liverpool. He was saying, 'Go there - you will love it. The fans will take care of you and love you' and things like that. He said Anfield is the best stadium in the world. Xabi won a lot of trophies here, and hopefully we can do that too."

Liverpool also confirmed that Sahin will wear the No. 4 shirt during his time at Anfield.

Source: ESPN Soccernet