Liverpool outcast Sander Westerveld yesterday moved to keep his international career alive by quitting Anfield for Real Sociedad.
The Spaniards - managed by former Anfield and Wales favourite John Toshack - confirmed the Dutchman was theirs to end weeks of speculation. The 27-year-old lost his regular place in Gerard Houllier's team in August, when Pole Jerzy Dudek and young England starlet Chris Kirkland arrived, and rejected a move to high-flying Spaniards Alaves.
He was recently dropped by Holland coach Louis van Gaal due to his inactivity. While the Dutch have not qualified for next year's World Cup, Westerveld was determined that PSV Eindhoven's Ronald Waterreus should have competition as back-up to first choice Edwin van der Sar.
He has walked away from a title-chasing side and straight into a relegation dogfight though. A spectator at the Bernabeu last night as Sociedad crumbled 3-1 to Real Madrid to stay second bottom in the Primera Liga, Westerveld is sure his new team-mates possess the quality to preserve their top-flight status.
He has signed until summer 2005 and said: "I am very happy because everything has worked out positively."
