Voronin played in the World Cup last summer for Ukraine

The 27-year-old, who is a free agent at the end of the season, will move from Bayer Leverkusen on a free transfer.

Voronin has also had spells with Cologne, Mainz and Borussia Moenchengladbach and has 40 caps for Ukraine, scoring five goals.

He was part of the Leverkusen side that knocked Blackburn out of the Uefa Cup earlier this week.

606 DEBATE: Your thoughts on Voronin

Voronin was also in the Ukraine side that reached the World Cup finals in Germany last year.

And he twice played against Liverpool two years ago when Rafa Benitez's side beat Leverkusen 6-2 on aggregate en route to winning the Champions League.

Voronin's transfer is the first under the new regime of American tycoons George Gillett and Tom Hicks, who agreed a takeover of Liverpool earlier this month.

If Robbie is not with us next season, we will have to look for another like him Rafael Benitez

His arrival puts a doubt on the likelihood of Robbie Fowler earning a new contract next season.

Benitez was full of praise for the Anfield favourite's finishing abilities after he scored twice from the spot in the 4-0 defeat of Sheffield United at the weekend.

But with Dirk Kuyt, Craig Bellamy and Peter Crouch also vying for places up front Benitez refused to discuss a new deal for the 31-year-old Fowler.

He told the club's website: "He's a really good finisher, still the best we have, and I sometimes think that if we could have Bellamy running at defenders and carrying the ball 20 yards, then turning into Fowler with the goal in sight, it would be perfect.

"If you create chances for him, you know you can rely on his finishing and that is a very important quality to have.

"We have four very good strikers, all with different skills. You can make the most of Peter Crouch's aerial ability, Dirk Kuyt works hard between the lines and Bellamy runs behind defences.

"Robbie operates in and around the box and, of course, he snaps up chances.

"We can talk about Robbie's future at a later date but, if he scores every time he plays over the next few months, you never know.

"You need a regular supply of goals from someone and, if Robbie is not with us next season, we will have to look for another like him.