Liverpool have confirmed this afternoon that Luis Suarez is signing for Barcelona. A statement on the club's website reads:
Liverpool FC confirms that Luis Suarez will be leaving the club after a transfer agreement was reached with FC Barcelona. The player now has permission to complete the usual formalities, which will then conclude the transfer.
We would like to thank Luis for his contribution and the role he played in helping bring Champions League football back to Anfield.
Everyone at Liverpool Football Club wishes Luis and his family well for the future.
Suarez's now former manager Brendan Rodgers said 'Luis is a very special talent and I thank him for the role he has played in the team in the past two years, during my time at Liverpool.'
Most of Rodgers' statement concerned the club moving on and building for the future but he did also add:
The club have done all they can over a sustained period of time to try to keep Luis at Liverpool. It is with great reluctance and following lengthy discussions we have eventually agreed to his wishes to move to Spain for new experiences and challenges. We wish him and his young family well; we will always consider them to be friends.
Meanwhile Suarez gave the good guy statement, filled with love and other such love related things:
It is with a heavy heart that I leave Liverpool for a new life and new challenges in Spain. Both me and my family have fallen in love with this club and with the city.
But most of all I have fallen in love with the incredible fans. You have always supported me and we, as a family, will never forget it, we will always be Liverpool supporters.
I hope you can all understand why I have made this decision. This club did all they could to get me to stay, but playing and living in Spain, where my wife's family live, is a lifelong dream and ambition. I believe now the timing is right.
I wish Brendan Rodgers and the team well for the future. The club is in great hands and I'm sure will be successful again next season.
I am very proud I have played my part in helping to return Liverpool to the elite of the Premier League and in particular back into the Champions League.
Thank you again for some great moments and memories. You'll Never Walk Alone.
We're expecting him to take a full page farewell ad in the Liverpool Echo any day now.
