Liverpool sign Simply Red star

Former Simply Red guitarist Sylvan Richardson has swapped his six strings for hamstrings, joining Liverpool as their new masseur, the English Premier League side said Tuesday.

Richardson was part of the British soul band’s original line-up in the mid-1980s but quit after two years and trained as a physiotherapist.

He has joined up with new Reds manager Roy Hodgson’s side on their pre-season training camp in Switzerland.

“They have been giving me a lot of stick,” said Richardson. “Especially (assistant manager) Sammy Lee.

“I am a professional producer and musician but I was always interested in medicine, and when I left the band in 1987, that’s the path I went down.

“To work for Liverpool is a great honour and when I got the call I was really excited.

“My role is to prepare the players and deal with their recovery after training. I am used to working with top athletes and so am very much looking forward to this opportunity.”

Richardson has previously worked with British Olympic cycling champion Chris Hoy.

He played on Simply Red’s first album “Picture Book” (1985), which contained the hits “Money’s Too Tight (to Mention)” and “Holding Back The Years”, and follow-up album “Men and Women” (1987).

The move may not please Simply Red frontman Mick Hucknall. The singer is an avid fan of Liverpool’s rivals Manchester United.