In a video released on their official YouTube channel, La Liga side Barcelona announced newly-signed Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez will wear the number 9 jersey for the Catalan side come the 2014-15 season.
This news comes out after the 27-year-old hitman completed his £75m move from Anfield to Camp Nou, where he will team up with Messi and Neymar to establish a mouth-watering striking force in the Liga BBVA.
The number nine jersey, previously worn by some of footballs greatest players such as Ronaldo and Patrick Kluivert, was vacated by Alexis Sanchez as the 25-year-old Chilean exited Barcelona to join English Premier League side, Arsenal.
The 2014 PFA Player of the Year departs him team of four season, leaving behind Brendan Rodgers side for pastures new after failing to clinch the 2013-14 English Premier League title, losing out to Manuel Pellegrini's Manchester City.
OFFICIAL: Barcelona announced Suarez will be joinning them next season
FC Barcelona and Liverpool FC have reached an agreement for the transfer of Luis Suárez #suarezFCB http://t.co/nVXZwZGSwP
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 11, 2014
DEADLY: The Uruguayan will be teaming up with Messi and Neymar
Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi & Neymar scored 68 goals, created 172 chances and recorded 31 assists between them in the league last season. WOW.
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) July 11, 2014
Descubre el dorsal que lucirá @luis16suarez en el @FCBarcelona_es #SuarezFCB http://t.co/6NFNjSbJYf pic.twitter.com/XgC9ziGfhv
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) July 11, 2014
Barca's number 9s since 1995
Barcelona number 9s since 1995-96: Kodro, Ronaldo, S.Anderson, Kluivert, Eto'o, Ibrahimović, Bojan, Sánchez, Suárez. pic.twitter.com/iM8Xcb28Xi
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) July 11, 2014
The video posted on the Catalan side's official YouTube channel
The Merseyside's 41-year-old boss was quick to wish Suarez all the best in his future, thanking him for the services he put in for Liverpool.
"Luis is a very special talent and I thank him for the role he has played in the team in the past two years, during my time at Liverpool," said Rodgers.
Liverpool wishing their former star all the best
Tw Liverpool: "Everyone at #LFC wishes @luis16suarez and his family well for the future pic.twitter.com/R1TPvS1mO3" [@lfc]
— barcastuff (@barcastuff) July 11, 2014
Thank you for the memories. @luis16suarez by @dvxsc pic.twitter.com/z2kZ3Z6p8K
— Steven Gerrard (@Gerrard8FanPage) July 11, 2014
"The club have done all they can over a sustained period of time to try to keep Luis at Liverpool. It is with great reluctance and following lengthy discussions we have eventually agreed to his wishes to move to Spain for new experiences and challenges. We wish him and his young family well; we will always consider them to be friends."
Although many believe Liverpool will find it difficult to replace the former Ajax man, Rodgers remains adamant that the club would be able to cope without him, arguing: "I am confident we will improve the team further and will be stronger for this coming season, when we will be competing on all fronts."
"If there is one thing the history of this great club teaches us, it is that Liverpool FC is bigger than any individual."
HUMOR: The reaction of Liverpool's fans as news of his departure broke
Alexis Sanchez signs for Arsenal. Luis Suarez joins Barcelona. Liverpool fans right now.. pic.twitter.com/LqIwck37QE
— Football Funnys (@FootballFunnys) July 11, 2014
The 2013-14 Golden Boot winner is yet another star name to exit Anfield
— Steven Gerrard (@Gerrard8FanPage) July 11, 2014
However, when looking at stats which compares how Rodgers men fare with and without Suarez, it shows they do even better in the 27-year-old's absence (via the Daily Mail)
