Liverpool have sold goalkeeper Scott Carson to West Bromwich Albion for £3.25m.
The 22-year-old was signed by Rafael Benitez in January 2005 for a fee of £0.75m. Although bought as a player for the future, he actually got called into action on Liverpool’s journey to the 2005 Champions League final, making his debut in the competition against Juventus.
After Pepe Reina was brought in as first-choice keeper, and Jerzy Dudek became second-choice, Carson eventually went out on loan. He spent time at Sheffield Wednesday, Charlton and Aston Villa. Villa paid £2m for his services for one season, but turned down their option to make it permanent, with suggestions being made that Liverpool were asking too much for the England international. They certainly seemed to rate the keeper – he only missed one league game other than the ones against Liverpool which regulations meant he couldn’t appear in.
The £3.25m fee could rise to £3.75m depending on certain performance-related conditions being met.