LONDON: Australian forward Harry Kewell joined Liverpool from Leeds United on Wednesday but the move was soured by a furious row between his former club and the player's agent over the 5 million pound (US$8.3 million) fee.

Angry Leeds said they had been forced to agree to pay 2 million pounds (US$3.3 million) to Kewell's representatives or face the prospect of losing the coveted international for nothing when his contract expired next year under the Bosman ruling.

That meant they in effect received only 3 million pounds (US$5 million) for the 24-year-old, one of the most sought-after players in the world game.

Leeds Chairman John McKenzie described it as a "paltry sum" and told his club's official website he was "angry and frustrated at the outrageous situation."

Kewell has already had a medical and agreed a five-year deal with Liverpool. He will be paraded by the Anfield club at a news conference scheduled for midday local time yesterday.

The size of the transfer fee is another hammer blow to Leeds, whose debts stood at 78.9 million pounds (US$131 million) when they reported their half-year financial results on March 31.

Kewell is the latest in a string of highly rated players to leave the Yorkshire club, who narrowly avoided relegation from the Premier League last season.

Paltry sum

The exodus started with the sale a year ago of defender Rio Ferdinand to Manchester United. Three other England players have subsequently left - striker Robbie Fowler, midfielder Lee Bowyer and defender Jonathan Woodgate.

Manager Terry Venables was sacked in March by then chairman Peter Ridsdale, who resigned soon after.

In a statement to the London Stock Exchange on Wednesday, Leeds said they "had to agree to pay a fee to representatives of Kewell in the sum of 2 million pounds.

"The board, having taken appropriate professional advice, felt that it had no option but to accept these terms given the context of Kewell's current contract."

Kewell had a year left on his contract and would have been a free agent at the end of next season.

McKenzie then issued a further statement in which he said: "The reality is that, on Friday 4 July, I agreed a deal of 7 million pounds (US$11.7 million) with Liverpool Football Club, which Kewell and his agent refused to countenance.

"Instead, they made a condition of not 'doing a Bosman' that we pay 2 million pounds to Kewell's representatives, and Liverpool then reduced the fee to 5 million pounds.

"What happened to the remaining 2 million I believe I know but only Liverpool or Harry Kewell could tell you.

"The (Leeds United) PLC was therefore faced with the alternative of taking the net 3 million (plus 2.5 million pounds (US$4.17 million) in wages) to enable (manager) Peter Reid to strengthen the squad or getting next to nothing.

"So, sadly, the plc felt it had no alternative but to accept the paltry sum."

Kewell's agent Bernie Mandic was later asked about the final destination of the 2 million pounds - the difference between the 7 million pound fee that Leeds originally agreed with Liverpool and the 5 million pounds that Liverpool eventually paid.

Mandic told Sky Sports television: "It is money that Liverpool have and will pay to Harry Kewell."

Lesser figure

Kewell, who can play in midfield or up front, supported Liverpool as a boy in Australia. He told his country's Channel Nine television station that he was delighted to join the club.

"There is just something special about Liverpool and that is why I accepted their (offer)," he said in a previously recorded interview screened on Wednesday.

"I joined them because it represents a real opportunity to win the premiership title."

Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier said: "This is a fantastic signing for the club and its fans.

"It's a huge boost for us ahead of the new campaign and an indication of Harry's belief in what we want to achieve here."

Viduka not going

Reeling Leeds United chairman John McKenzie has made it clear that Australia striker Mark Viduka is not for sale after the acrimonious completion of Kewell's transfer to Liverpool on Wednesday.

"I have made it quite clear he is not for sale," McKenzie told Sky Sports television. "On the last day of the season... I spoke to Mark Viduka myself at some length and we both agreed that his future was with Leeds United.

"I've had that reinforced in several conversations with his professional advisers in Australia during the summer period."

He said he had received no bids for any other Leeds players and hoped the Kewell saga would bind the club together.

"There have been no other bids in the course of the summer period," McKenzie added.

"I would be a fool to say if a player asks to go that we don't consider that very seriously and what the reason for it is but, as far as the club is concerned, we want to keep that team as it is together.

"We want to add players to that team and we want now to try as a club, as a manager and as a set of fans to try and put the really very unsatisfactory unpleasant situation behind us."

Agencies via Xinhua

(China Daily 07/11/2003 page8)