Liverpool Football Club yesterday agreed personal terms with Dutch international full-back Jan Kromkamp, and his transfer from Spanish La Liga side Villarreal to Anfield is expected to be finalised next week.

The Dutch defender is set to become Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez's first signing of 2006 in a deal that will see Spanish full-back Josemi moving to Villareal in a swap deal.

Liverpool FC Club spokesman Ian Cotton said in a statement: “In principle we have reached an agreement and hope the transfer can be concluded next week.”

Rafael Benitez is happy that terms have been agreed with Villarreal that will see Josemi return to La Liga and 25-year old Dutch full-back Jan Kromkamp replace him at Anfield.

Benitez admitted that Josemi, who was his first signing as Liverpool manager in the summer of 2004, has struggled to adapt to life in England, and believes it will be advantageous for Josemi to return to his native Spain.

Benitez said: “As both players have discovered, it is difficult to play in another country. Josemi has tried to learn English and he's improved a lot, but for him and his family it has been hard. Kromkamp has suffered the same in Spain. He speaks English but at Villarreal almost everyone speaks Spanish so it was not an ideal situation for him.”

The Liverpool boss is looking forward to the prospect of adding the Holland international to his ranks. The highly rated defender only joined the El Madrigal club last summer from Dutch Eredivisie side AZ Alkmaar, but, like Josemi in England, has found it difficult adjusting to life in a foreign country.

Benitez confirmed their interest a couple of days ago, saying: “It's true we have an agreement with Villarreal… If we can agree personal terms with the players then the deal will be done.”

“We need to talk with the players but in a few days hopefully Kromkamp will be training with us here at Melwood.”

“He is an offensive full-back who likes to get forward and is very strong in attack. He can operate as a full-back in a line of four or as a wing-back in a line of five. He's a good player but I'd rather not talk too much about him until the deal is finalised.”

“I have been talking with Josemi, and we think it is a good idea for him to return to Spain. Sevilla were interested but now Villarreal have come in for him and this deal seems right for all parties.”

Josemi has made 35 first team appearances for the Champions League holders following his arrival from Malaga. Kromkamp has appeared just six times for Villarreal in La Liga. He did however feature in matches against Everton and Manchester United in the Champions League earlier this season.

Kromkamp made his international debut for Holland in August 2004 and is hoping that his move to Liverpool will increase his chances of being a member of the Holland team in Marco van Basten’s ‘Oranje’ squad at the World Cup finals in Germany.

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