John Arne Riise can look back on his Liverpool career with great pride, according to Anfield team-mate Jamie Carragher.Riise on Wednesday night completed a move worth just under £4million to Italian giants Roma after seven years with the Reds.

The 27-year-old made 347 appearances for the club, scoring 31 goals, and was a key member of the side that won the Champions League in 2005 and FA Cup in 2006.

Carragher told the club's website: "John Arne has been a great player for Liverpool for six or seven seasons now.

"He's played at a very high level for a long time now. He's never injured and he's a great professional who has always looked after himself.

"He can be very proud of what he's achieved with Liverpool."

Riise, who was signed from Monaco by former manager Gerard Houllier in 2001, has agreed a four-year contract with Roma.

His move comes after a disappointing final season with the Premier League club in which he failed to command a regular place.

He could be the first of several players to leave this summer as boss Rafael Benitez reshapes his squad.

"I wanted a new experience and to get to know a new type of football," said Riise.

"I chose Roma because they are a great club with great fans and they won the Coppa Italia.

"I met the coach and I will listen to him and try to give my best. The passion of Luciano Spalletti struck me and now I will try and learn Italian so that I can get to work.

"Roma have experienced players. I know Ludovic Giuly from my time at Monaco, where we played together, and Francesco Totti is a phenomenon.

"Then there's Daniele de Rossi, who is one of the best midfielders in Europe and who is growing into a truly great player."

Riise could be followed from Anfield by Peter Crouch, Xabi Alonso and Scott Carson, who have all been linked with moves elsewhere.

Riise's future at the club had been uncertain since Benitez failed in his attempts to sign Gabriel Heinze from Manchester United last summer.

He is now set to be replaced by Udinese left-back Andrea Dossena, with a £7million deal for the 26-year-old Italian thought to be close to completion.

Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry also paid tribute to the departing Riise, who had a reputation for ferocious shooting and spectacular goals.

Parry said: "John has been a tremendous servant to Liverpool over many years and has played a key role in all of our recent triumphs.

"Everybody at Anfield would now like to wish him all the best in his new career in Italy."

Riise became an instant favourite at Liverpool with the highlights in his first season including a derby goal against Everton and a thunderbolt free-kick when Manchester United visited Anfield.

He also netted the fastest Carling Cup final goal of all time, after 45 seconds against Chelsea in 2005, and stunned the same opponents in the FA Cup semi-finals a year later.

His 2006-07 season was overshadowed by a controversial clash with then team-mate Craig Bellamy at a training camp in Portugal, for which the Welshman was disciplined.

Both players put that matter behind them with the goals in a famous win over Barcelona at the Nou Camp the following week.

Riise's spell at Liverpool, however, ended on another sour note after a freak own goal in the last minute of April's Champions League semi-final first leg against Chelsea.

More Football News from TEAMtalk