Liverpool centre-back Martin Skrtel completed his move to Fenerbahce on Thursday, prompting a mixed reaction from supporters.
The 31-year-old joins the Turkish Super Lig side in a £5.5 million deal, and will be officially unveiled at a press conference on Friday.
Skrtel’s move comes after spending eight-and-a-half years with Liverpool, joining the Reds from Zenit St. Petersburg in January 2008, and ends a spell that included two title challenges.
A divisive figure in the Liverpool squad in recent years, Skrtel’s departure was met with mixed views.
Here, we round up the best of the reaction from social media and our forums.
Welcome Martin Skrtel! pic.twitter.com/3WYt2wyL3T
— Fenerbahçe English (@Fenerbahce_EN) July 14, 2016
Let's remember the good times. Martin Skrtel played like a real leader when we challenged for the title in 2014. pic.twitter.com/INIbJ3pNy7
— LFChistory.net (@LFChistory) July 14, 2016
242 – Only 5 players (Carragher, Gerrard, Hyypia, Reina & Fowler) have played more PL games for Liverpool than Martin Skrtel (242). Depart.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 14, 2016
So Skrtel has gone. Wish him well for the future and thank him for his service to LFC. #YNWA
— Nick Collins (@Nick___Collins) July 14, 2016
“He did have his good moments and not so good moments with us.
I wish him all the best hope he gets a lot of “Turkish Delight”Thanks for the memories
YNWA”
– inaiq on the forums.
https://twitter.com/SachinNakrani/status/753571705923174400
Skrtel's £5.5 million move to Fenerbahce is good for the CB, who saw his minutes and status decrease at #LFC. Tidy business for the Reds too
— Melissa Reddy (@MelissaReddy_) July 14, 2016
Yes, Skrtel has had a bad few seasons. Three years ago we were moaning about his potentially selling him to Man City.
— Nick Collins (@Nick___Collins) July 14, 2016
“Goodbye our warrior in red. You will always have a place in our hearts. No matter the cost you threw yourself into every tackle, every header, every fifty-fifty. You knew what it was to wear the shirt. You, more than most, lived by the simple code. ‘Play for the name on the front of the shirt, and they will remember the name on the back’. You will truly never walk alone.”
– Jake McGuinness on Facebook.
https://twitter.com/jacklusby_/status/753580198382141440
Wish Martin Skrtel all the best in Turkey. Good servant to our club and a been a decent player for us. All the best Skrts lad.
— Kyle Taylor (@kylelfc88) July 14, 2016
Skrtel was always passionate. Playing or not. Playing well or not. He'll always have my respect for that. https://t.co/Q9jS6zBx93
— Red (@TaintlessRed) July 14, 2016
https://twitter.com/MobidEE/status/753579701612978180
https://twitter.com/dapulou/status/753579487892299776
8 years and 300+ games for #LFC. Skrtel's quality dropped over time, but his commitment and passion for the club did not. Good luck Martin!
— . (@JKhyberMD) July 14, 2016
“Great servant to the club over the years, but not been at his best the last two seasons.
£5.5m for a 31 year old is pretty good business I feel…”
– Darren Erskine on Facebook.
Farewell Skrtel. I'm sure deep down he's one of us but I'm still shocked he stayed for so long.
— The Shankly Express (@ShanklyExpress) July 14, 2016
Skrtel gone then. Fearless in the challenge, but a nightmare positionally. Some memorable moments, but a well overdue exit. #LFC
— Dan Copeland (@ETFootball) July 14, 2016
Fan Comments