Fowler: "Leeds is perfect for me"

Leeds United last night completed their #11 million purchase of Liverpool star Robbie Fowler who is expected to make his debut this weekend for the Premiership leaders against Fulham.

Fowler last night completed the second stage of medical checks to agree a five year contract with Leeds.

The England forward lost his place as first choice in the Liverpool team after a knee ligament injury three years ago.

He has only scored three goals so far this season and all in one game with his previous three seasons bringing a return of three goals, nine goals and then three again last season in the Premiership with further injury problems. "Liverpool had a great year last season and they are still well placed, but at Leeds there is a great team and we feel we can go all the way in the title race," he said on his signing for Leeds..

"One thing I will predict is that I can win the Premiership at Elland Road this season.

"I think this is a perfect move for me, because this Leeds side really suits the way I like to play football and I'm sure it will be a huge success."

"I have neither sought nor received any assurances from David O'Leary about first-team football.

"In Alan Smith, Robbie Keane, Mark Viduka and Michael Bridges there are already four top-class strikers here and it would be disrespectful to them to expect any promises about first-team football.

"I am happy to come here and have a fair fight for my place. That is all any player can ask for."

The layer rejected claims that he feuded with Liverpool management team Gerard Houllier and Phil Thompson to hasten his exit from the Anfield club:

"What can I say about this move ? I don't mind admitting that until very recently I would never have imagined leaving Liverpool," he said.

"Recently, though, things have changed and so it didn't hugely surprise me. I know people are still asking whether a feud with Gerard Houllier and Phil Thompson is behind my move.

"It doesn't entirely surprise me that people still think this, because so many people enjoy washing my dirty linen in public.

"Everything about Liverpool is now water under the bridge and I must look to my future. The future is Leeds and I'm excited about that."

Fowler scored on his debut for Liverpool at Fulham in a 3-1 win in a 1993 League Cup match.

He scored 171 goals in 340 appearances for the club.