Fenerbahce announce signing of Dirk Kuyt

Fenerbahce have announced on their official website that Dirk Kuyt has left Liverpool to sign a three-year deal with the Turkish club.



Kuyt joined Liverpool in 2006, the summer after they won the FA Cup. He spent five trophy-less seasons at Anfield until the most recent campaign, when he got his hands on the Carling Cup.



A first-team regular under Rafael Benitez, who brought the Netherlands international to Merseyside, Kuyt lost his way under Kenny Dalglish, often playing a bit-part role. He had expressed his frustration on more than one occasion over the past six months, and now the inevitable parting of ways has occurred.



"Dirk Kuyt has signed a three-year contract," read a simple statement on Fenerbahce's official website.



Liverpool later confirmed on their website: "Liverpool Football Club can confirm that Dirk Kuyt has advised the club that he has today reached an agreement with Fenerbahce SK over a move to Turkey, and 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."



Kuyt enjoyed some memorable moments as a Liverpool player, making 285 appearances and scoring 71 goals. Bought as a striker from Feyenoord he quickly switched to the right-wing, where he consistently chipped in with goals until Benitez's departure.



The 31-year-old scored in the 2007 Champions League final as Liverpool lost 2-1 to AC Milan, having netted the winning penalty against Chelsea to take the Reds to that final.



Domestically the Dutchman often stepped up when it truly mattered, memorably scoring two penalties in the same Merseyside derby against Everton in 2007, as well as netting a hat-trick at home to rivals Manchester United in 2011.



He was tagged as the scorer of big goals in big games around Liverpool, a reputation he lived up to again when scoring the last-minute winner in the FA Cup tie against United during the 2011-12 campaign. He also notched Liverpool's extra-time goal as well as scoring a penalty in the Carling Cup triumph over Cardiff.



Kuyt's departure marks the first big outgoing name of Brendan Rodgers' reign as Liverpool manager. The Reds boss has revealed his interest in bringing Gylfi Sigurdsson to Anfield this summer.