Liverpool’s longest serving player is confirmed to leave the club, according to reports coming in from Turkey. Lucas Leiva, who was signed by Rafa Benitez 10 years ago, had been linked with a number of clubs in the winter window but the Milliyet newspaper claims the Brazilian has decided to join Turkish giants Galatasaray at the end of the season.

Lucas had been playing mostly as a central defender for the Reds but had struggled in a number of games and it was a surprise why he was not let go earlier. The 30-year-old was expected to join another club in the summer but Jurgen Klopp kept hold of him not only for his experience but his ability to play in a number of positions.

The source claims that Lucas will join Galatasaray for €2.5 million per season (£2.2 m). The former Gremio man was earlier linked with a move to Brazil but it seems he is set to remain in Europe for a few more years at least.

Galatasaray was one of the clubs gunning for his signature in the summer but the deal could not be completed.

Nazifoglu told Turkish-football.com over the summer transfer window:

“We spoke with Lucas Leiva last night and he asked us for another day before making his decision [to join],

“The situation will be clearer by tonight.”

The club had also given Lucas 24 hours to make up his decision to join but Klopp wanted the Brazilian to stay at the club in the summer. The situation has changed now as Lucas is one of a handful of players who haven’t really performed all that well and he will leave the club on a free transfer at the end of this season.

The Brazilian has been one of the most loyal and loved players in the Premier League era for Liverpool and even though he didn’t win a lot at the club, he will be remembered for his commitment and never say die attitude.

There has been no official confirmation from the club but it only is a matter of time before we get the news of the departure of Lucas.

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