Chilean football International Mark Gonzalez has signed for Liverpool FC from La Liga side Albacete on a permanent basis. A statement on Thursday from Anfield confirmed that the club have agreed a deal to sign the highly-rated youngster, subject to him meeting the relevant eligibility rules.

‘Speedy’ Gonzalez is an inspirational young player who, with his lightning pace who can play on either wing, or in a striking role. Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has labelled Gonzalez as the best young player in Chile last season.

"He is a player we want to be able to use as soon as possible but the situation as it stands is that we are still awaiting a work permit for him," said Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez, who in the past has said, "Gonzalez is already a player who will shine in the Premiership but very soon he could be one of the most exciting players in England."

"Ideally, we would like to have him here in January but if that's not possible then we will have to wait until next season for him, when he will have a European passport."

"He's a left winger with pace and skill who is capable of getting to the by-line and providing crosses that the likes of Peter Crouch and Fernando Morientes should thrive on.”

Gonzalez has been unable to represent Chile for the past 5 months, due to a serious cruciate ligament injury that he picked up two weeks before the end of the last season against fellow La Liga rivals Levante, on May 8 when he was still playing for Albacete.

The winger has been getting closer to match fitness after having been out injured for nearly six months, and Benitez is looking forward to him training with the team, "He has had an injury but he's close to finishing his recuperation now and should be ready to start playing again in the next month."

23 year old Gonzalez, who has 13 International caps for Chile, and 3 International goals to his name, started his career in Chile with Universidad Catolica Santiago, and then moved to Europe with a spell at Spanish La Liga side Albacete before moving to Premiership giants, and European Cup holders Liverpool.

He was refused a work permit to play football for Liverpool in the English Premiership in August, by the UK Department of Education and Employment.

Liverpool FC officials attended the hearing in London to argue the player's case, but were dismayed when the panel threw out the appeal.

One of the provisions for the work application was that Gonzalez was to be playing regular National team football, and for the National team he represents to be, (for some reason) placed in the top 70 of the official FIFA world rankings. The fact that Chile was, and still is placed 72nd didn't help the application.

Rafa said: "We must now wait because one of the problems is that his national team are not ranked in FIFA's Top 70. If they win a couple of games, maybe they will move up the FIFA rankings and things may change.

Chile, are currently 72nd in the FIFA rankings, but their failure to qualify for the World Cup Finals may make it harder for them to progress in the rankings.

Rafa is desperate to see the Chilean International return to full fitness so that he can start earning more International caps to help a fresh application.

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