Stefan Bajcetic admits he ‘never planned’ on saying goodbye to Liverpool.
Bajcetic’s five-year spell at Anfield was ended before the summer transfer window shut as he rejoined boyhood club Celta Vigo for a £1 million fee.
The midfielder made just 22 appearances for the Reds after his 2022 first-team breakthrough due to being limited by persistent injury problems.
His final outing came more than two years ago with loan spells at Red Bull Salzburg and Cadiz marking his most recent competitive involvement.
Bajcetic was also set to become a free agent next summer, making his return to Celta a practical solution for Andoni Iraola’s side in his final 12 months.
But the 21-year-old conceded in a lengthy farewell message posted on social media that his departure from Merseyside is still filled with strong emotions.
He wrote. “I never planned to write a goodbye message, because I was where I always wanted to be.
“The love you have given me throughout the five years I spent in Liverpool has been incredible.
“It’s easy to show love when things go in the right direction, but as you know it hasn’t always been the case with me, and you have been there for me at all times.
“I fought all the injuries and adversities with the motivation of paying back the love and trust you showed me over this period, but unfortunately I couldn’t.
“In life sometimes you need a change and thinking of myself and my family I think it’s time, the memories I’ve had with this club will stay with me forever and I’m glad I’m able to tell my kids I played in the best club in England.
“We will never know what could have been but my period here has helped me mature and grow as a person and as a player.
“From what I was when I arrived at 16 to now it’s a completely different person, I lived with a Scouse family that showed me how special this city and people are, and I can proudly say I will always have a little bit of that in me.
“So thank you for everything from the bottom of my heart, me and my family will always be Reds.
“To all my team-mates, from the ones I had in the Under-16, U18, U21 to the first team, everyone has helped me so much over the years and I keep friends for life.
“Playing with you guys has been such a privilege and a constant learning experience. Thank you for always helping me.
“To the staff and managers I had over the years, each one of you help me develop so much.
“This club is a massive family and it wouldn’t be without all the people that work for it.
“From chefs, kitchen staff, player care, groundskeepers, media, kit man, and all the hundred departments this club has, everyone makes our life so much easier and keeps this club as big as it is. I will miss you so much.
“Physios, doctors, medical department, what can I say, unfortunately we got to spend so much time together, we lived so many ups and downs, and you have always gave your best for me, I will always be grateful.
“This club will stay in my heart forever. Once a Red, forever a Red.”