Tribute to Sammi Hyypia
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Veteran Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia will end a 10-year assocation with the Reds this summer by joining Bayer Leverkusen on a two-year deal.
The Finn, who made his debut in August 1999, has made 317 league appearances for Liverpool and was a key member of the side which won the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup in 2001.
A report on the official Liverpool website read: "Hyypia underwent a medical with the German outfit on Monday morning and will link up with his new team-mates in the summer for the start of pre-season training.
"The Finnish international has earned legendary status at Anfield for the part he has played in the club's many successes over the past decade - and he will leave Merseyside with the best wishes of every Liverpool supporter."
Hyypia explained his reasons for joining the Bundesliga club on the Leverkusen website.
"The discussions with Bayer were very positive. They gave me the feeling they wanted to sign me," he said.
"I look forward to the task in Leverkusen and hope that we will be successful together."
Bayer's sporting director Rudi Voller was delighted to have snared the experienced defender.
He said: "Sami will bring experience and presence to our young squad."
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TRANSFER NEWS
Hyypia to join Bayer Leverkusen at end of season
Hyypia will get first-team football in Germany.
Veteran Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia will join German side Bayer Leverkusen on a two-year deal in the summer.
The Finn, who has been at Anfield for 10 years, made his debut for the Reds in August 1999. Hyypia has made 317 league appearances for Liverpool and was a key member of the side which won the FA Cup, Worthington Cup and UEFA Cup in 2001.
A report on the official Liverpool website, read: "Hyypia underwent a medical with the German outfit this morning and will link up with his new team-mates in the summer for the start of pre-season training.
"The Finnish international has earned legendary status at Anfield for the part he has played in the club's many successes over the past decade - and he will leave Merseyside with the best wishes of every Liverpool supporter."
Hyypia explained his reasons for joining the Bundesliga club on the Leverkusen website: "The discussions with Bayer were very positive. They gave me the feeling they wanted to sign me," he said.
"I look forward to the task in Leverkusen and hope that we will be successful together."
Bayer's sporting director Rudi Voller was delighted to have snared the experienced defender. He said: "Sami will bring experience and presence to our young squad."
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Excellent professional...Good luck!
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Bye my bro will miss you haha
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you have all my respect for all your time at liverpool.
goodbye, all e best in the future
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now rafa nid to buy someone to replace him
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Originally posted by Aang:
now rafa nid to buy someone to replace him
No need lah..central midfield got carra, agger, skrtel liao...but if really want to buy, hope rafa get hangeland...but doubt he is willing to warm the bench though. -
somehow, i cant bear to see this guy go
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it's sad to see this pic
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TRIBUTE TO SAMMI HYYPIA.
Liverpool had confirmed that Hyypia will be joining Bayer Leverkusen on a two-year deal in the summer, but his contribution to the Reds' success over the last ten years will ensure he forever holds a special place in the heart of every Kopite.
Good luck Sami. A true Anfield legend.
The new boy looks decent...
A toast to the first of many trophies!
The Owen Cup final - 'my' finest display
Treble glory
Last-gasp glory v Wolves - a Sami favourite
It's just a friendly against Man United isn't it?
A perfect start against Juventus
Sami dares to dream...
The dream becomes reality
Sami Hyypia - Kop legend -
Hyypia go out with his head held high !!
He is already a Legend for us .
We had quite a number of legends in the centre of defense , namely Alan Hansen , Mark Lawrenson etc .. but he certainly right up there .
He won the UEFA Cup , UCL , FA Cup etc ..... certainly no regrets for him .
I am sad there wasn't a testimony for him .
10 year without a testimonial match ??
I hope LFC can arrange one for him .
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yea, he certainly deserve one
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As a former captain and having played a decade there, plus being in so many important matches, there really should be a testimonial for him.
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Benitez hails 'fantastic servant' Hyypia
Rafa Benitez has hailed Sami Hyypia after the defender opted to prolong his playing career with Bayer Leverkusen.
Despite being offered the chance to remain at Anfield for a further season with the option to join the coaching staff, the 35-year-old has agreed to move to the Bundesliga in the summer as he seeks more regular first-team football.
And, although Benitez is disappointed to see Hyypia leave, he feels he deserves the opportunity to continue playing at a high level.
“We are disappointed for us because we will miss Sami, but we are really happy for him because he can play two more years to his maximum with a good team in a good league,” he said in the Liverpool Echo.
“With three other centre backs at Liverpool it was going to be difficult for Sami to play as often as he would like so he has decided to go to Leverkusen and, like I said, we are happy for him.
“The fact that we were talking to him about becoming a coach shows how much we think of him – he is a perfect professional.
“In every single training session and in every single game, he gives 100 percent for the team and he has been a fantastic servant to this club.
“He is always keen to help the youngsters and he sets them a really good example but he has also been very supportive of me and my staff since I first came to Liverpool.
“From my point of view, I have been really pleased to work with him and now I must wish him luck for the future.”
Hyypia has confirmed that a lack of playing time led to his decision to quit the club, but he has not ruled out the possibility that he could return as a coach in the future.
“The main reason is I still think I'm young enough to play football and I know chances to play here would be limited,” he told the club’s official website.
“I spoke to the manager and I didn't want him to make promises about how many games I would play, but this season has been mentally very difficult. I haven't played a lot and playing is what I enjoy most.
“I understand it isn't possible to play enough games here for me to be happy, so I had to look elsewhere. I got the option to go abroad to Bayer Leverkusen. The whole package was good, they have big plans for me and hopefully I can go there and help them to be successful.”
He added: “Coaching is something which has always been in my mind, but I have to take my badges first. At the end of my playing career I will look to take the badges and then see.
“I would like to come back here one day as a coach.”
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Hyypia reveals exit reasoning
Sami Hyypia admits he will find it tough to leave Liverpool, but claims he needs a new challenge.
All good things must come an end, though, and Hyypia insists he needs to move on in order to find regular first-team football in the twilight of his career.
"The main reason (for leaving) is I still think I'm young enough to play football and I know chances to play here would be limited," the 35-year-old told Liverpool's official website.
"I spoke to the manager (Rafa Benitez) and I didn't want him to make promises about how many games I would play, but this season has been mentally very difficult. I haven't played a lot and playing is what I enjoy most.
Package
"I understand it isn't possible to play enough games here for me to be happy, so I had to look elsewhere.
"I got the option to go abroad to Bayer Leverkusen. The whole package was good, they have big plans for me and hopefully I can go there and help them to be successful."
While admitting that leaving Liverpool will be a wrench, Hyypia has not ruled out the possibility of returning to the club in the future as a coach.
"Yes, hopefully," he said.
"Coaching is something which has always been in my mind, but I have to take my badges first.
"At the end of my playing career I will look to take the badges and then see. I would like to come back here one day as a coach."