BUENOS AIRES (AFP) - Liverpool have swooped to sign Argentine midfielder Sebastian Leto from Buenos Aires team Lanus, the Argentine club´s vice-president Nicholas Russo confirmed.

Liverpool, who already boast a huge contingent of Spanish and South American players and coaching staff, have paid 3.6 million dollars for the 20-year-old.

Leto is a midfield playmaker who scored six goals in 34 appearances for Lanus last season.

"I am going to a team with a lot of history that won the Champions League two years ago," said Leto.

"I still can´t believe it. I have seen Manchester (United) matches on television and now I could end up facing them.

"It will be difficult. I don´t know what awaits me but I want to play soon. It is possible that I will have only a few chances and I must prove that I am ready.

"I am fast and there (England) the counter attack is vital."

Leto will join compatriot Gabriel Paletta at Anfield but will hope to make a greater impression.

Centre-back Paletta has made only one start for Liverpool since signing from Atletico Banfield in July 2006, and that in Tuesday´s humiliating 6-3 League Cup defeat by Arsenal, whose Brazilian forward Julio Baptista gave him the runaround all evening.