"My choice has always been Marseille," Cisse was quoted as saying by the official website of Marseille.

Cisse, who is recovering from a broken right leg, said he was told earlier in the month that his skills were unneeded at Anfield.

He was struggling for a starting place in Liverpool for the majority of last season's campaign with boss Rafael Benitez preferring Peter Crouch and Robbie Fowler ahead of the 24-year-old international.

Cisse hoped to shine in the 2006 World Cup with France but he broke his leg in a friendly game with China just ahead of the tournament and was dropped from Les Bleus squad that reached the final game before losing to Italy.

Liverpool signed Cisse from Auxerre for a record club transfer fee of £14m in July 2004 and Benitez believes a move out at this point will benefit Cisse.

"It is a good move for him because he needs to play," he said on Liverpool's official website.

"He has had two bad injuries and it will suit him better to play in France."