Former FA Cup winning captain Mark Wright believes the acquisition of Kolo Toure represents a shrewd piece of business by Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers.
Thirty-two-year-old Toure will complete a free transfer from Manchester City on July 1, signing a two-year contract at Anfield.
Liverpool have been quick to start bolstering their defensive options following the retirement of Jamie Carragher and the two-time Premier League title winner is expected to be the first of a clutch of new signings this summer.
Wright, who made over 200 appearances for the club between 1991-1998, says Toure heads to Merseyside with vast experience having played in England's top flight since 2002.
As well as a pair of league winners' medals, the Ivorian has won the FA Cup three times and was instrumental in helping Arsenal to the Champions League final in 2006.
Wright, who lifted the FA Cup and League Cup in his time with Liverpool, has praised Rodgers for acting swiftly so soon after the season to tie up a deal for Toure.
The former England international says Toure's versatility only adds value to the deal.
"It is fantastic business by the club," said Wright.
"Toure has major experience and Brendan Rodgers has done ever so well to get him in.
"It is going to take a lot of replace Jamie Carragher and whether Kolo is to be in the starting line or a stand in, remains to be seen, but Toure has been around the block.
"It is a proper signing and he can fill in a number of positions.
"Having been with Manchester City, Toure will live around the North West so it is only a short hop for him to come to a great club like Liverpool. He will not have needed to uproot."
Wright added: "In a squad you need two or three players that can move around and play in various positions.
"Kolo has a wealth of experience and knows what the game is all about.
"You have got to be strong defensively. Do so and you give the rest of the team the platform to go and express themselves."
Rodgers is continuing to search for further defensive signings with Schalke centre-half Kyriakos Papadopoulos and Tiago Ilori of Sporting Lisbon under consideration.
Finding the right replacements for Carragher will prove challenging but Wright know Rodgers will leave no stone unturned in his pursuit for new defenders and believes the manager will have an eye on the long-term.
"Jamie was vocal and an organiser and Liverpool will be looking to find his replacement for years to come," he added.
"Martin Kelly is on his way back from injury but the club do also need players with first-team experience and Brendan Rodgers wants to make Liverpool's central defensive partnership very, very strong.
"Brendan will be scouring the world to find the next man."
Source: Daily Post
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