Luis Suarez has thanked Liverpool fans for their support after finally making his €94million (Dh469m) switch to Barcelona, but also insisted he is fulfilling “a lifelong dream” by moving to the Nou Camp.
The controversial Uruguayan striker, who is currently banned until October after biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini during the World Cup, has agreed a five-year contract at the Catalan club and will travel to Spain for his official unveiling next week.
Suarez’s departure from Anfield has split opinion amongst Reds fans, with many happy to see him leave for such a big fee following his latest transgression, while others feel he should have stayed loyal to the Merseyside outfit as a mark of gratitude for their support during previous disciplinary cases.
But Suarez attempted to make sure it becomes a case of ‘no hard feelings’ in his message to Liverpool supporters.
“I hope you can all understand why I have made this decision,” he said. “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.”
Suarez spent a highly eventful three and a half years with Liverpool, scoring 82 goals in 133 games to bolster his reputation as one of the greatest strikers in the world but also missing more than 20 games through suspension for a variety of lapses in discipline.
The 27-year-old was keen to point out the positives of his time at Anfield, added: “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. 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, and we will always be Liverpool supporters.
“Thank you again for some great moments and memories.”
Suarez’s arrival is the latest development in an extremely busy summer at Barcelona, with the Uruguayan joining coach Luis Enrique, former Sevilla captain Ivan Rakitic and goalkeepers Marc Andre ter Stegen and Claudio Bravo as new arrivals.
More will follow, with at least one and probably two central defenders targeted to reinforce a weak back line – Valencia’s Jeremy Mathieu and Marquinhos from Paris-Saint Germain are among the leading contenders.
There have also been plenty of departees, headed by veterans Victor Valdes and Carles Puyol as well as Premier League signings Alexis Sanchez and Cesc Fabregas.
Youngsters Jonathan Dos Santos and Isaac Cuenca have left for Villarreal and Deportivo La Coruna respectively, while winger Cristian Tello is thought to be on the verge of joining Porto and out of favour pair Bojan Krkic and Alex Song are also likely to leave.
And perhaps most significantly of all, legendary midfielder Xavi is soon expected to confirm his departure from the Nou Camp, with the 34 year-old believed to be weighing up lucrative offers to finish his playing career in Qatar or the MLS.
With a much-changed squad, the biggest task for Enrique will be defining an effective role for club record signing Suarez, who will have to be accommodated in a starpacked forward line also containing Lionel Messi and Neymar.
BARCELONA'S BUSY SUMMER
Luis Suarez
€94m from Liverpool
Suarez’s football credentials cannot be questioned, but how his abilities will fit into a Barca team already overflowing with enormous talent – and egos to match – is a matter of doubt.
Last season’s manager Tata Martino failed in the task of creating a structure which allowed both Lionel Messi and Neymar to shine, and now new boss Luis Enrique has the enviable additional problem of fitting in Suarez as well. It will be fascinating to see how the 44-year-old knits it all together.
Ivan Rakitic
€20m from Sevilla
It would be a gross over-simplification to refer to Rakitic as ‘the new Xavi’, because nobody will be able to replicate the role performed for more than a decade by one of the greatest players Spain has ever produced.
However, with the old master likely to head for pastures new, Rakitic will be expected to carry the torch – in his own way – as the man to bind the team together in the centre of midfield. Rakitic’s three-and-a-half seasons with Sevilla means he should hit the ground running.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen
€12m from Borussia Monchengladbach
The rising star of German goalkeeping had been regarded as Victor Valdes’ eventual successor by Barcelona chiefs for a long time, with sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta – a former goalkeeper – personally recommending the signing of the 22-year-old, whose distribution marks him out as a Barca-style player.
The move came quicker than expected following Valdes’ refusal to sign a new contract, but he will be given every chance to establish himself as the Nou Camp number one for many years to come.
Claudio Bravo
€12m from Real Sociedad
The Chilean international has essentially been signed as an insurance plan in case ter Stegen needs time to adjust to his new surroundings, but his World Cup performances confirmed something Real Sociedad followers have known for a long time: Bravo is a top class goalkeeper.
He certainly isn’t ready to accept a role as a perennial back-up and will be more than ready to pounce for a first team place if ter Stegen shows any early jitters in Catalonia.
