Liverpool has reached a deal to sign Greece center back Sotiris Kyrgiakos from AEK Athens. Manager Rafa Benitez hopes the 30-year-old Kyrgiakos will complete his medical examination before the weekend. "He is a player with experience who can hopefully help us in defense," Benitez said Thursday. "He has experience in British football at Rangers. After that with Frankfurt and the national team. "He's a good player in the air,strong and aggressive. We were looking for a player with experience." With Martin Skrtel injured,18-year-old Daniel Ayala made his first start for Liverpool in central defense Wednesday in a 4-0 rout of Stoke. The Reds host Aston Villa on Monday in the Premier League and could have Kyrgiakos available. "He will have the medical this week,it has to be before the weekend," Benitez said. Benitez hopes the 1.92-meter (6-foot-3) Kyrgiakos's presence will help young center backs Martin Kelly and Daniel Ayala develop. "The young players know they need experience and so to learn alongside people with this experience is better," Benitez said.
