Riise joins Roma

| Sat, 06/21/2008 - 03:00

Norway defender John Arne Riise presented himself to AS Roma fans after his five-million-euro move from Liverpool Thursday saying he wanted to lend his Champions League experience to the Roman club.

''I want to surpass my personal record here and put my Champions League experience at the service of the team,'' said the 27-year-old, who played almost 250 times for Liverpool including two Champions League finals against AC Milan - a win in 2005 and a loss last year.

Roma, who lost the Serie A title narrowly to Inter Milan, are bidding for European glory again and Riise said he would ''give his all'' for the team.

''I'm someone who never gives up. I like tough games and I've got a great pair of lungs,'' he said on Roma Channel.

Laying down the gauntlet to Inter and its new coach, ex-Chelsea manager Jose' Mourinho, Riise said ''Mourinho is a great manager but we have to outdo Inter''.

The former Liverpool left back, who signed a four-year deal Wednesday, added that Roma skipper Francesco Totti was ''an idol'' while midfielder Daniele De Rossi was ''one of the best midfielders in Europe''.

Riise, who is known for his strong runs and thunderbolt shooting, played 234 games for Liverpool between 2001 and 2008, scoring 21 goals.

He has 71 international caps and eight goals for his country.

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