Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard led the tributes to defender Sami Hyypia, who will leave the club after Sunday's final game of the season at home to Tottenham.
Hyypia, 35, will join Bayer Leverkusen on a two-year contract in the summer, ending a decade at Anfield.
Gerrard said: "It is difficult to put into words how we feel about Sami. He has been fantastic for us, a colossus."
He added: "He certainly deserves legendary status and he is definitely one of the best players I have ever played alongside. That is the biggest compliments I can pay Sami."
Striker Dirk Kuyt joined in the tributes, saying: "For me he is a top professional, one of the best I have ever met.
"Most importantly for me, Sami is also a good human being and has a good personality. I will miss him but I'm sure he will be in touch with us and Liverpool.
"It is a great achievement to play 10 years at a special club like Liverpool, especially for a foreign player, and I have a lot of respect for him.
"It's a shame he is leaving the club but things happen like this in football."
Assistant manager Sammy Lee hailed Hyypia's professional attitude and has tipped him to go into coaching once his playing days are over.
"Sami is a terrific professional, a fine player," said Lee. "Under that cool exterior there is a really emotional guy and he will certainly feel that on Sunday. We will too having worked with him for so long."
Comment 1 - 10 of 10
What we can say..... this is fact that he is a legend. 10 years are so much for 1 player to play in 1 club.. we love you Sami we will miss you!
Sami Hyypia - what he lacks in pace, he more than makes up for in positioning, communication with the players around him and sheer footballing intelligence. I totally understand his reasons for leaving and wish him all the best. Hopefully, he'll come back when he reitres to pass down his knowledge as one of the coaching staff.
YNWA
Stevegerradfc, Come on give the side a break. We have shown that we can go toe to toe with anyone and its not like finishing 2nd is awful.
Our undoing has been too many draws, we started slamming in goals at the end of the season but it was too late. If we can keep that going in the new season and stop dropping points and places like stoke then the trophy is going to Anfield. Anyway back to the point.......Farewell sammi, you have been a great assest to the club for a decade, All the best at leverkusen !!!!
HATE TO SAY IT BUT HE WAS A GOOD PLAYER FOR LIVERPOOL WHAT A GOOD PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLER
ALWAYS GOT IN THE WAY IN DERBY GAMES HIM AND CARRAGHER
LEGEND
Thank you Sami for your contribution to LFC, you have shown commitment and a great servant to the club and the supporters. Good luck for the future!
stevengerrardlfc you clown, this Liverpool squad with the right minor additions will certainly compete with United and Chelsea next year
Charlie, if you must comment at least make it sound intelligent, that comment from you is embarrassing. On a personal level going unbeaten at home is great, but it makes it all the more frustrating that we failed to be champions again this year. Man United, Chelsea and Arsenal all had slip-ups and we failed to take advantage because we were simply not good enough over the whole season. Next year we will not be so lucky and with Everton looking to break into the top four we may even finish 5th.
yeah right
sami hyypia - true professional, down to earth, very disciplined. all the qualities of a true legend.
Please login to post a comment
Not already a Yahoo! user ? Sign up to get a free Yahoo! Account