DIRK KUYT has joined Turkish giants Fenerbahce from Liverpool on a three-year deal.
The Dutch forward moved to Anfield from Feyenoord in 2006 and made 207 appearances for the Reds.
But the 31-year-old found first-team starts hard to come by under Kenny Dalglish last season and has decided to move on just days after Brendan Rodgers was named as the new Liverpool boss.
He said: “The club and supporters I will always carry in my heart.
“The appointment of the new coach has nothing to do with it.
“When Fenerbahce came to me and made their ambitions known, from the first moment I was sold. They give me the confidence that I lost.”
Kuyt had been widely expected to leave Merseyside this summer with just a year to run on his Anfield contract.
He had been linked with Hamburg and a return to Feyenoord but has opted for a move to Istanbul instead, where he will play Champions League football next season.
Fenerbahce will enter the preliminary rounds of the competition after finishing runners-up to Galatasaray in the Super Lig.
Kuyt leaves Liverpool having won just one trophy in six seasons on Merseyside — the Carling Cup last season, when he scored in the penalty shootout win over Cardiff.
A Liverpool statement said: “Dirk Kuyt has advised the club that he has today reached an agreement with Fenerbahce SK over a move to Turkey.
“The transfer is expected to be completed in the next few days.
“Everyone at Liverpool Football Club would like to wish Dirk all the very best for the future and thank him for his contribution to the club
