John Arne Riise links up with brother at Fulham

Posted Thursday, July 14, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

LONDON (AP)—John Arne Riise could be playing with his brother Bjorn Helge Riise next season after joining Fulham from Roma on Wednesday.

The Norway defender has signed a three-year deal to return to the Premier League, three years after leaving Liverpool for Serie A.

Arne Riise faced Fulham in the Europa League in the 2009-10 season, coming up against his brother—and scoring.

“It was the first time my brother and I played against each other at a high level, so it was a big experience for both of us,” he said. “I managed to score against Fulham—my brother likes that one—and we enjoyed it, but now we can finally play together in a club.”

Riise is Fulham’s second signing of the offseason, following the deal for Hungarian goalkeeper Csaba Somogyi earlier this week.

Also Wednesday, a deal was agreed for former Fulham defender Paul Konchesky to leave Liverpool after only one season to join second-tier club Leicester, which is managed by Sven-Goran Eriksson. Konchesky played 18 matches for Liverpool.

Premier League newcomer Queens Park Rangers signed former Cardiff striker Jay Bothroyd and former West Ham midfielder Kieron Dyer, who were both free agents.