News: Liverpool have welcomed back their prodigal son to Anfield after last night re-signing Robbie Fowler from Manchester City, the former England striker joining initially until the end of the season with a view to a further year's extension
The transfer marks a staggering return for the 30-year-old forward, nicknamed "God", who retains an iconic status on the Kop despite leaving the club he had joined as an 11-year-old under something of a cloud in November 2001 after a very public fallout with the then manager Gerard Houllier. Leeds paid £11 million to take him to Elland Road, but much to local disbelief Fowler is now returning to Merseyside on a free transfer.
He has agreed to reduce his £35,000-a-week wage package to smooth his departure from City, for whom he had signed for £6 million after only 14 undistinguished months at Leeds. Fowler's agent, George Scott, met the City chief executive Alistair Mackintosh yesterday and agreed to sever ties with six months remaining on his deal at Eastlands. Fowler was immediately withdrawn from Stuart Pearce's squad to play Wigan in the FA Cup fourth round this afternoon before the completion of his move to Liverpool.
His medical will have been carefully scrutinised given past serious knee and hip injuries. His impact at City this season was severely hampered by a fractured disc in his back sustained pre-season, which restricted him to a six-minute appearance as a substitute in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford during the opening five months of the campaign.
The six-month deal will now allow him time to prove his fitness. He is ineligible for tomorrow's FA Cup fixture away to Portsmouth but could first feature against Birmingham City in the Premiership on Wednesday.
Guardian Service
