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Sunday, 3 June 2012

Dirk Kuyt leaves Liverpool for Fenerbahce


The 31-year-old Netherlands international is thought to have cost the Turkish giants just €1million (£800,000), due to a clause in his contract concerning European clubs.

Kuyt arrived at Liverpool in 2006 for a fee of around £9m and helped his side to League Cup victory in February 2012, scoring in the final against Cardiff City.

"This is a fantastic club to continue my career," Kuyt stated to the official Sport-Promotion website.

"I really hope to reach a good deal, so I can fully focus again on the Dutch team [and have] no more distraction [with] my near future secured.  Subsequently I am all motivated for success with the Dutch team."

"I am ready for a new challenge."

The forward played a less-prominent role last season following the arrivals of Luis Suarez, Andy Carroll and midfielders Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson, who were all recruited during the 18-month reign of recently-sacked Kenny Dalglish.

And Kuyt was keen to stress that his recent regular demotions to the substitutes' bench had no impact on his decision to move.

He was strongly linked with Hamburg and a return to Feyenoord, although he ruled out the latter, saying they would not be able to afford his wages.

He has opted for a move to Istanbul, though, possibly attracted by the prospect of Champions League football next season.

Fenerbahce will enter the preliminary rounds of the competition after finishing runners-up to Galatasaray in the Super Lig.

Kuyt leaves Liverpool having won just one trophy in six seasons on Merseyside, the Carling Cup last season, when he scored in the penalty shoot-out win over Cardiff.

Liverpool confirmed on their official website that Kuyt had told them he had agreed a move to Fenerbahce and the transfer would be complete in "the next few days".

A club statement said: "Everyone at Liverpool Football Club would like to wish Dirk all the very best for the future and thank him for his contribution to the club."

The Dutchman, who is currently preparing for Euro 2012 with Holland, scored 71 goals in 285 games for Liverpool.

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