The Uruguayan admits he has fallen in love with the Reds during his time on Merseyside but says living with his wife’s family in Spain “is a lifelong dream and ambition”

Luis Suarez has released a statement thanking the Liverpool fans and explaining his decision to leave the club following the announcement of his imminent £70 million move to Barcelona.

Both clubs announced on Friday that they had reached an agreement over the transfer of Suarez, subject to a medical and the signing of a five-year contract.

And the Uruguayan was keen to explain his desire for the move, insisting that while he has enjoyed his time on Merseyside, living with his wife’s family in Spain “is a lifelong dream and ambition”.

“It is with a heavy heart that I leave Liverpool for a new life and new challenges in Spain,” the Uruguayan insisted. “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.”

The clubs revealed on Friday that they have reached an agreement over the sale of the Uruguayan striker who will land in Catalonia next week to finalise the deal

Liverpool have confirmed they have reached agreement with Barcelona for the transfer of striker Luis Suarez.

The Spanish giants have long been linked with the Uruguayan forward and confirmation of the move came on Friday, with Barcelona saying in a statement on their official website that the Uruguay striker will be in Catalonia next week to put pen to paper on a five-year deal and complete his medical.

From today, we’re all following @luis16suarez. Welcome to @fcbarcelona #SuarezFCB http://t.co/tOzYobZiVN pic.twitter.com/HRwptQgTaJ

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 11, 2014

The Premier League club added: “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.

Everyone at #LFC wishes @luis16suarez and his family well for the future pic.twitter.com/8ODQXoRYEH

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 11, 2014

“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.”

More to follow….

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World football’s governing body have dismissed pleas from both the Uruguayan FA and the player himself over his bite on Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini

Fifa’s Appeal Committee has rejected pleas from Luis Suarez and the Uruguayan FA over the striker’s punishment for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini and has upheld its sanctions.

Suarez was handed a record four-month ban from any kind of football-related activity by world football’s governing body back in June after being found guilty of biting an opponent for the third time in his chequered career. 

The Liverpool striker was also handed a nine-match international suspension and an €82,000 fine.

“The Fifa Appeal Committee has decided to reject the appeals lodged by both the Uruguayan player Luis Suarez and the Uruguayan FA and to confirm the decision rendered by the Fifa Disciplinary Committee on 25 June 2014 in its entirety,” an official statement reads. 

“The terms of the decision taken by the Fifa Appeal Committee were communicated to the player and the Uruguayan FA on Thursday. 

“The relevant decision is not yet final and binding, i.e. an appeal to the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) is still possible (cf. art. 67 par. 1 of the Fifa Statutes) by the player and/or the Uruguayan FA, subject to certain conditions.”

The punishment does not prevent Suarez from moving clubs this summer and he is on the brink of completing his sensational transfer from Liverpool to Barcelona after the terms of a deal worth just over €88 million were agreed on Wednesday.

Barcelona have captured Suarez in a straight cash deal after agreeing to meet the release clause in the Liverpool contract he signed last December. 

It is believed that Suarez will undergo initial medical examinations from Barca doctors in his native Uruguay, where he has been staying following his country’s elimination from the World Cup.

The 27-year-old will not be allowed to play for Barcelona until October 26, when his four-month worldwide ban expires.