Alberto Moreno’s Liverpool career can begin, now that he took advantage of a unique chance to say goodbye to the only club he has known.
Moreno, 22, bid a tearful farewell to Sevilla during a press conference Wednesday. Liverpool officially acquired Moreno on Saturday, but he returned to the Spanish club to say goodbye to his friends and the public.
“I want to offer my thanks to everyone at the club,” Moreno said, according to the Liverpool Echo. “I also say farewell to the great fans of this club. I have always been comfortable with them and they have treated me superbly. It’s always painful leaving the club where I’ve always been and I hope to return one day.”
Moreno joined Sevilla’s youth system as a 13-year-old and progressed through the ranks over the years. Moreno was promoted to Sevilla’s first team in February 2013 and quickly rose to prominence.
Moreno helped Sevilla win the UEFA Europa League and finish fifth in La Liga (Spain’s first division) last season. Moreno’s talent, and the form he demonstrated for club and country, prompted Liverpool to buy him from his boyhood club for £12 million ($20 million) last week.
“I arrived here in 2004,” Moreno said. “Sevilla is the club which has given me everything, helping me grow as a player and a person. This isn’t a goodbye, but rather a farewell. I hope to be back here one day.”
Moreno now is on his way back to Liverpool where he will continue practicing with his new team. Moreno could debut at left back for the Reds on Monday when they visit Manchester City on Monday in a meeting of likely Premier League title contenders.
While Moreno’s mind will be on his Liverpool business, it’s safe to say a piece of his heart will remain with Sevilla.
Liverpool agrees to sign Moreno from Sevilla >>
Photo via Twitter/@MARCAinENGLISH
