Jarell Quansah has expressed a heartfelt farewell to Liverpool fans following his transfer to Bayer Leverkusen. The England Under-21 international has made the switch to the Bundesliga side in a transaction that could reach $48 million (£35 million).
Quansah has committed to a five-year tenure at Leverkusen, with Liverpool securing a buy-back option in the agreement, reportedly valued at about $69 million (£51m).
The defender, who has been with Liverpool's Academy since he was five, departs as a Premier League champion and with 58 appearances under his belt. While eager to embrace the challenges of the Bundesliga, Quansah took the time to acknowledge his former Liverpool colleagues and mentors, as well as the supporters, suggesting that this departure might just be a temporary 'goodbye for now'.
In an emotional Instagram post, he reflected on his journey: "From the moment I walked through the doors of the Academy at 5 years old, I dreamed of one day wearing the Liverpool shirt at Anfield," he shared. "17 years later, I can now say I have lived that dream.
"To my team-mates, thank you for welcoming me, pushing me, and believing in me. I've learned so much from sharing the pitch and dressing room with such amazing people and will never forget the incredible memories we've had.
"To the staff, the coaches, and everyone behind the scenes, your belief and dedication have always been a constant source of motivation. You have helped me grow not only as a footballer, but as a person as well.
"And to the fans, your support has always been unmatched. Whether at Anfield or away from home, hearing you sing never failed to inspire me. I will carry that with me wherever I go.
"Liverpool will always hold a special place in my heart. It's not just a club - it's a family! This is goodbye for now, but I'll always be watching - once a Red, always a Red."
In the meantime, Leverkusen's sporting director Simon Rolfes expressed his excitement about Quansah joining the team.
"We are delighted to be able to sign Jarell Quansah, one of the most promising English central defenders. He is fast, agile, and a good footballer," Rolfes said about the 22 year old.
"He has already made an impressive impact in a Liverpool defence dominated by world-class players.
"With Jarell, our defence gains significant dynamism, pace, and toughness in duels, and he will be another very important building block for the Werkself of the future."