Sadio Mane has sent a farewell message to Liverpool supporters after completing a move to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.
The Senegalese leaves after six years at Anfield and over 260 appearances. He joins the Bavarians on a three-year deal running until 2025. The fee is an initial £27.5m with a further potential £5m in add-ons.
Speaking in a farewell interview with LFC TV, he explained his decision to leave the club and how much he enjoyed his time on Merseyside.
BREAKING: Liverpool confirm Sadio Mane departure to Bayern Munich as transfer details are confirmed
READ MORE: Loris Karius breaks silence on Liverpool exit with 'crazy' Sadio Mane claim
READ MORE: Liverpool stance on Mohamed Salah contract and Jude Bellingham transfer explained
He said: "Yeah, for sure, for sure. Obviously it is strange – really, really strange – to no longer be a Liverpool player after six years spent at Anfield. But of course I had a great time, an unbelievable time, and since my first day I really, really enjoyed training, playing, at Anfield especially and in front of these amazing supporters. Now it’s come to the end, so what can you say?
"There was a lot, a lot, of speculation but I’m not a confused boy in my head. Obviously I know what I want and I know what is professional so for me, I was not even thinking about it because I was still a Liverpool player and we had really, really important games. For me that time was so, so important for myself and the team and the boys, and the supporters as well, and that is why I was really, really focused on that.
"I did not want (to make) any comments about it because winning the Champions League and the Premier League, that would have been fantastic for myself, for the club and for everybody. So that is why I was not even talking about or commentating about the speculation because it is part of football, it will always stay (this way). It is normal."
Mane won everything he possibly could with Liverpool, including the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup. He insists it was the desire for a new challenge that sparked his decision to move to Germany.
He added: "Like I said, from the first day I came to the club, I spoke to the boss when I was in Southampton and I think at that time we were not even in the Champions League. He called me and I said, ‘For sure.’ I just decided in my heart that I am coming to Liverpool because that is where I see myself and for me it was the right time and the right club to achieve everything.
"So, I can say of course we won a lot and I spent a great, great time there. An unbelievable time at Liverpool, we won a lot. Like I always say, my life is always [about a] challenge and when it came I said to the club that I want to leave, I want to go somewhere else to see a new challenge. It is not anything else, it is just a challenge because for me I want to always be challenging myself to get better and better."
Mane added: "After when both clubs agreed [the transfer], I sent a long text to say goodbye to everybody, which is normal. They were sad, as I was, but it is part of life. We just have to accept it."
READ NEXT:
