Är svenska fotbollspelare...

“I hope that this is ‘au revoir’ and not goodbye”. These were my final words as I prepared to leave Atletico Madrid after twelve years. The club has always been and will always be a big part of me, though the time had come to face a new challenge, and there could not be a better stage to ply my trade than Liverpool Football Club. There was no doubt that this was to be the most important decision of my football career to date.

Atletico Madrid had not had a great season, as once again we failed to qualify for the Champions League or the UEFA Cup. The team had been in the top six throughout the year but we missed out on achieving our objective on the final day of the league. The season had just come to an end when Liverpool came forward with an offer. Unlike previous interest shown in me from clubs during the close-season, this was different.

Liverpool F.C. is one of the greatest clubs in the world with a glorious past, exciting present and bright future. Following a phone call from Rafa Benitez I knew for certain that Liverpool wanted me to form part of an exciting new project. The Anfield club could have chosen any striker in the world, and I was proud and privileged to have been selected for the role. I asked Atletico Madrid to study the offer from Liverpool and the deal was closed sooner than I could have ever imagined. I was actually on holiday at the time but in a blink of an eye I had just become a Liverpool player.

I had been a member of the first team squad at Atletico for seven years, seven years during which the team never quite achieved the objectives set out at the start of the season. It was then that I realised that the time had finally come to take that step. It was never going to be an easy decision but I knew that it was one that I had to make; it was time to move on. I had always gone hand in hand with Atletico Madrid but it was time to part ways. Rafa Benitez had spoken to me about the project at Liverpool, and both Atletico and I understood that this was an opportunity I could not pass up.

Before being officially unveiled at my new club, I felt that I needed to personally thank all the people who had formed part of my life during my time at Atletico Madrid. I grew up and matured alongside the Club, and it meant a lot to me to thank all people who work at Atletico. I also felt that I owed it to the fans and to members of the press to say ‘au revoir’. My twelve years at the club had flown by and they had always made me feel special. I will never forget the backing and support I received throughout my time at the club and it was going to be strange to finally leave a place I considered my home. Thank you.

Only hours after my emotional visit to my first and only club, I landed at Liverpool.
The first time that the reality of what was happening to me hit home, was when I first walked into Anfield. I realised that the time had finally come to close the chapter on Atletico Madrid and to start a new adventure at Liverpool. It was a proud moment for me when I pulled on the world famous red shirt with the number 9 stamped on the back. I was sure to take in everything from that special day; the welcome I received from the fans and employees at the club and I thought to myself that here, ‘I will never walk alone’. I fully understand the challenge that lies before me and that I am going to have to work hard and give 100% to repay the faith and belief the Liverpool fans and supporters from the famous Kop End have in me. It has been a marvellous twelve years for me and I am proud to have worn the red and white shirt and will always carry Atletico Madrid in my heart.