A life-long Liverpool supporter, he finally got to join the club of his dreams in January 2001 after he was granted a free transfer from Barcelona. He had fallen out of favour at the Nou Camp.

The forward has also starred for Ajax Amsterdam and HJK Helsinki

Liverpool had been interested in him prior to his move to Spain in the summer of 1999, but it was Barca who eventually won the race for his signature.

Litmanen said of his Liverpool move: 'I seem to have been linked with every club in Europe but it's no secret that Liverpool have always been very special to me.'

Boss Gerard Houllier added: 'We have signed a world class player. He comes with a reputation which needs no improvement. He's one of the most exciting signings we have ever made.'

Made a great impact on Liverpool and helped lead them to the Worthington Cup final before picking up an injury that affected the rest of his season.

Was one of his country's best players as they fought out an excellent 0-0 draw in a World Cup qualifier against England in October 2000.

'Litti' has, in the last ten years, has failed to win his country's Player of the Year crown only twice.

He has also won a considerable array of club honours, including the 1995 European Cup and World Club Championship and the European Super Cup with Ajax - and he was Voted Player of the Year for top-scoring in Holland in 1994.

Fell down the pecking order at Liverpool, and the signing of El Hadji Diouf in the summer of 2002 appeared to be the final straw. Litmanen declared he needed to move on to gain first team football.