Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann has agreed a deal to stay at Anfield for at least one more season. Despite offers of longer deals from the likes of Bolton Wanderers, Hamann says that once Liverpool offered him a chance to stay he had a very simple decision to make.
The deal also includes an option for a further year for the 31-year-old. This news comes the day after Igor Biscan was told he would not be offered a new deal.
Hamann spoke to the Liverpool Echo about his delight to be staying with the European Champions: "Once Liverpool made me an offer, there was only one place I wanted to play my football. I always said the first club I would speak to about my future was Liverpool because I wanted to stay.
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Didi revealed that Rafael Benitez had asked him to wait until after the final before discussing the contract: "The manager said we would wait until after the final before we had a meeting and that’s what we did. We came to an agreement instantly. I’m delighted the manager wanted to keep me. I read a lot about other clubs being interested, but I couldn’t imagine playing for any club in England."
According to the Echo, an offer had actually been made to Hamann in mid-season, but was withdrawn by Benitez who was disappointed at Hamann delaying his decision.
Hamann already has a World Cup medal to go with his European Cup medal. He’s also got winners medals for the UEFA Cup, European Super Cup, FA Cup, League Cup and Charity Shield. He now wants to have a crack at completing the set with a Premiership medal: "It’s going to be hard to challenge for the title in the next two seasons, but let’s give it a go. The Premiership is the only club competition I haven’t won since I joined Liverpool. I’m desperate for us to do it."
Hamann has great faith in the abilities of his Spanish boss: "The manager has achieved great things already by winning the Champions League and I know he’s planning to bring in new players for next season. If we can settle quickly and everyone starts working together tactically early on, who knows what can happen? Who would have predicted we would win the Champions League a year ago? Maybe we can surprise the top three. It’s going to be tough to do that, but I think we’ll improve a lot."