KIRKLAND LEAVES ANFIELD

Gone

Chris Kirkland has made his loan deal at Wigan permanent and has now signed for the North West club, leaving Liverpool.

The news was confirmed on Wigan Athletic's website: "Chris is a world-class keeper and a smashing pro," Wigan manager Paul Jewell told the club Web site. "It was always our intention to make the deal permanent."

The transfer fee has not been disclosed.

Gerard Houllier paid £6 million for the keeper from Coventry in 2001.

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