体坛英语新闻：Dutch striker Babel completes move from Liverpool to Hoffenheim

BERLIN, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Dutch striker Ryan Babel finalized his move from Premiership's Liverpool to Bundesliga side Hoffenheim on Tuesday.

The 24-year-old signed a two-year contract with the German team with a transfer fee of seven million euros (about 9.5 million U.S. dollars).

"I am looking forward to my new task at Hoffenheim," he said. "My first impressions are very positive. I hope now to be able to quickly get into the team."

The former Ajax star, who might make his Bundesliga debut on Saturday against Schalke 04, takes the place of Senegal striker Demba Ba after the latter was loaned to Premier League's West Ham for the rest of the season.

"We are very proud to be able to sign Ryan Babel, an internationally experienced player from a top club like Liverpool," commented Hoffenheim manager Ernst Tanner.

Failing to win a regular place in Liverpool's first team after joining it in 2007 from Ajax, Babel played 90 Premier League games and had scored just twice in 17 appearances this season.