Liverpool confirm Lucas’ departure

 

Liverpool have announced Lucas Leiva has left Anfield after 10 years at the club to join Serie A side Lazio on a permanent transfer.

 

Lucas has been at Liverpool since joining from Gremio in 2007 but has dropped down the pecking order in recent seasons.

 

The 30-year-old has regularly been linked with a move away from Liverpool in that time, but Jurgen Klopp has finally granted him the chance to get regular playing time after the club accepted Lazio’s £5m bid.

 

Lazio have been looking to sign a new defensive midfielder in the wake of Lucas Biglia’s move to AC Milan earlier this month and have now secured the services of the Brazilian.

 

“Liverpool as a club and Liverpool as a city is a unique place,” Lucas told Liverpool’s official website. “I think it’s different from everywhere.

 

“The fans are a big part of the club, probably the most important part of the club, and without them Liverpool wouldn’t be the same club I would say.

 

“Thank you for all the support, especially in difficult times, that’s when it means a lot. We all know that Liverpool fans are really special and they were always here for me.

 

“I’ll always be watching and supporting Liverpool and for sure I’ll be back, in the City to visit friends and watch games in the future.”

 

 

Lucas has made more tackles (822) than any other Premier League player since August 2009.

 

For more stats on Lucas Leiva, click here to visit his WhoScored player page