Liverpool today announced the acquisition of Maxi Rodriguez from Atletico Madrid. Here's the lowdown on our new number 17.

A talented winger with an eye for goal, Maxi is the Reds' first signing of the January transfer window.

The Argentina international can play on either flank and has also been known to feature in an attacking midfield role.

Nicknamed La Fiera, he first came to prominence with Newell's Old Boys and enjoyed three seasons with Los Leprosos after rising through their youth system.

His superb technique had him earmarked for a move to Europe at an early stage and in 2001 he signed for Spanish Second Division side Real Oviedo on a six month loan deal.

He made just one appearance for the Carbayones but earned a permanent move to La Liga outfit RCD Espanyol after top scoring for Argentina's under-20 side as they secured the FIFA World Youth Championship on home soil.

During three seasons in Catalonia he scored 26 goals in 110 matches and also made his full international debut in a friendly match against Japan in 2003.

At the start of the 2005-06 season he made a big money move to Atletico before making a significant impact on his country's World Cup campaign in Germany.

A brace in a 6-0 rout of Serbia and Montenegro was followed by a stunning extra-time winner against Mexico in the last 16. Argentina were eliminated by the hosts in the next round, but when the competition was over, a poll conducted by FIFA saw the left-footed strike crowned as the best goal of the tournament.

The winger's impressive showing on the world stage meant much was expected of him when he returned to Atletico, but an injury picked up during Argentina's friendly with Spain in October 2006, reduced him to just 10 first-team appearances that season.

He hit top form again in 07-08, helping Atletico to fourth place in La Liga, thus securing Champions League football for the first time in seven seasons.

The Spanish outfit were named in the same group as Liverpool on their return to Europe's premier competition and it was Maxi who scored the opener in his side's 1-1 draw at Anfield. They would go on to reach the last 16 of the competition and would once again take fourth place in La Liga.

Maxi's contribution to Los colchoneros' success was significant, but despite featuring in Atletico's 2-1 win over the Reds in a pre-season friendly during the summer of 2009, it was clear he needed a new challenge and will now face that as part of Rafael Benitez's Liverpool side.