'LFC will always be in my heart'
Dirk Kuyt today thanked the Liverpool supporters for their wonderful backing on the day he informed the club he had agreed a deal with Turkish side Fenerbahce SK.
The transfer is expected to be completed in the next few days, and speaking exclusively to Liverpoolfc.tv, the Dutch international reflected on a fantastic spell with a club he will always hold dear to his heart.
First of all Dirk how difficult a decision is it to leave Liverpool FC?
"It was a very difficult decision. I had six wonderful years at the club and it was a great honour for me to play for Liverpool Football Club, work with the great players and play in front of those wonderful supporters. After six years I have made a decision to go for another experience and that's why I made the choice to go to Fenerbahce."
How much are you looking forward to your new challenge in Turkey?
"It's a great new experience. I had interest from several clubs in Europe and once Fenerbahce came in for me, with the ambition they have as a club, and also by showing how much they wanted me, for me it was an easy decision to make. I'm really looking forward to playing for them."
Do you have a message for the Liverpool supporters who took you to their hearts?
"Yes I do and I would like to say to a big thank you to them. I had six wonderful years at Liverpool and it was a pleasure to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world and the best supporters in the world. Not only me, but also my wife and children will miss the LFC supporters. I'd like to thank everyone for all the support they gave me and I will miss them, but LFC will always be in my heart."
How special a club is Liverpool FC to play for?
"It is a very special club. It was a privilege for me to play for Liverpool. I will always look back at those six years with a big smile on my face."
You leave Anfield with some wonderful memories - is there one moment above all else that stands out?
"Maybe not one moment as I had some fantastic moments with Liverpool. I enjoyed all the goals I scored and all the assists I made, and just to finish last season with a trophy for the supporters was something really special for me. I came to Liverpool to win prizes and trophies and I'm glad I got one in the end. It was also a wonderful experience to play for the club on those great Champions League nights at Anfield as those nights were unbelievable and something I will never forget. Of course to get the chance to play in the Champions League final was something very special. Unfortunately we didn't win it but to get there with Liverpool and see all of our fans was a great experience."
What about the hat-trick v Manchester United?
"That was obviously a real special moment. To score a hat-trick against our biggest rivals was really special and it was my first hat-trick for the club and also my last. That is also something I will never forget and the ball with all the autographs of the players has a special place in my house always, wherever I will be."
I know you and your family were very settled in the city - did you feel like an adopted Scouser?
"We are a little bit and we always will be, because two of my children were born in Liverpool. We also had great support, not just from the supporters of the club but also from the community. My children went to a great school in the city with perfect facilities and also the people we met were really good for us. We will always think back of this city with special memories."
What will you miss most about Liverpool Football Club and the city?
"I will miss my teammates and Melwood. I will miss the fans, everyone at the club, and it will be difficult not going back there every day. I will miss it but I had to make a decision for myself and like I said I will always look back on my time at Liverpool with a smile on my face."
Will you try and get back to watch a match at Anfield this season if the opportunity arises?
"Definitely. Whenever there is time I will go back to Liverpool. I will always support the club and it will be great to go back and see my former teammates, and the people around Melwood and Anfield, and also the people I have known for the last six years. Liverpool will always be a part of my life and me and my family will always come back there."
You've also got a reunion with Daniel Agger in your first game of Euro 2012? Have you had any text banter ahead of the game yet?
"Not yet but I will definitely have some contact with him before the game. All I can say is I'm really looking forward to the confrontation and playing against Daniel. Denmark has a good team but we have to show our qualities."
Kuyt also posted a special tweet for the memory of the 96 on his official Twitter page, after he read a verse at the Hillsborough Memorial Service.
Kuyt tweeted: "It was an honour to read psalm 23 @ the hillsborough memorial service. Let there be justice for the 96. They will never be forgotten!!"