The bonny lad is on holiday in Rome at the moment. please log in to view this image But 12 years ago today he was swaning off elsewhere - "Norwegian international John Arne Riise is set to snub Fulham and sign for Liverpool instead. The Monaco player's agent said on Saturday it was "100% certain" Riise would join Liverpool. On Friday Berit Riise - the player's mother and agent - seemed certain that the midfielder would be joining Premiership new-boys Fulham. "If the medical goes to plan then John Arne will sign. We have reached an agreement with Fulham that we'll go there on Monday morning," she said. Now there has been a u-turn and Riise is now set to fly to Merseyside instead of London on Monday. She told Norwegian newspaper Sunnmorsposten: "We are 100% certain that this deal will go through. "If everything goes to plan then he will be a Liverpool player from next week.”, she said. "The plane tickets to Liverpool have already been booked. We will have talks with the club on Monday, and at the same time John Arne will undergo a medical." A snag looked to have hit the sale of the 20-year-old when his former Norwegian side Aalesund insisted on exercising the 20% sell-on clause they had inserted in the terms of his transfer to Monaco. But Berit Riise is sure this will no longer be a problem. "As far as Aalesund are concerned there was a slight disagreement about how their 20% would be worked out," she said, "but everything is sorted out now." Riise was a regular member of the 1999-2000 title-winning Monaco side, but fell out of favour with coach Claude Puel after admitting his desire to leave."
A few days after his mother had given her side of the saga, JAR gave his - "JOHN ARNE RIISE has explained why he has opted to join Liverpool rather than newly-promoted Fulham, suggesting he fears the Londoners could struggle in The Premiership. The Monaco midfielder had been lined up to play under Jean Tigana again, at Craven Cottage, but there was always the suspicion that Gerard Houllier would make a late bid for his signature. "Liverpool have a better reputation," said the 20-year-old. "It is a safe environment to join. "I feel that Liverpool is a better alternative. They have shown that they are good with young players. Fulham are newly promoted and could find themselves in trouble," please log in to view this image Kappa then and Kappa now COYW - 12 years on and Still Going Strong
"Who's A Mummy's Boy?" JAR Rubs It In "Liverpool new-boy John Arne Riise has telephoned Fulham boss Jean Tigana to explain his reasons for snubbing the London club. The Cottagers had lengthy talks with the Norwegian international and believed they had reached an agreement when the Anfield club swooped to take Riise to Merseyside. "I talked to Tigana on the phone and explained what had happened and why I wanted to play for Liverpool," said the 20-year-old. "It was good to talk to Tigana and I can assure people we still have a good relationship." Riise and Tigana were already friends - the French legend signed him for Monaco two years ago - but the young midfielder realises fans at Craven Cottage may not be so understanding. "I am ready to get some comments from Fulham fans when we meet in the autumn but that's part of football and I'll handle it." Riise, who will be teaming up with fellow Norway international Vegard Heggem at Anfield, also denied he was simply moving to his favourite English club. "When I was younger I was a Tottenham fan but my dream was always to play for Liverpool, Manchester United or Arsenal. Now that dream has come true." I suppose I should have done, but hadn't realised Tigana had previously signed at Monaco.
