ALEXANDER ISAK has broken his silence with a message to Newcastle fans following his move to Liverpool.
The transfer saga of the summer finally came to an end on deadline day when Liverpool finalised a British record £130MILLION deal to sign Isak from the Magpies.
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Isak, who has received a cold reception from Newcastle fans since he froze himself out of the pre-season preparations, has now released a statement thanking the club.
On Instagram, he wrote: “I want to express my gratitude to my teammates, the staff, and above all, the city of Newcastle and all the amazing supporters for the three unforgettable years we shared together.
“Together, we have written history and brought the club to the place where it truly belongs.
“It has been an honour to be part of the journey from reaching the Champions League to winning the first trophy in over 70 years.
“Forever grateful. Thank you, Newcastle.”
Isak’s relationship with the Toon Army turned sour when he tried to force through his move to Anfield throughout the summer.
The Swedish striker went on strike to push Newcastle into selling him to the Reds, while the Tyneside outfit scrambled to try and find an adequate replacement.
Newcastle released a blunt statement of their own upon confirming Isak’s exit, making no reference to his status or impact on the club.
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Isak to Liverpool transfer saga timeline
- JANUARY: First links to Liverpool emerge
- FEBRUARY: £150million record fee mooted
- MARCH: Isak denies Newcastle contract talk
- APRIL: Eddie Howe hails Isak as “very professional.”
- MAY: Howe insists Isak will not be sold
- Last match in Newcastle shirt
- JUNE: Transfer links to Liverpool heat up
- JULY: Flies with Newcastle for Austria training camp
- Left out of Celtic friendly
- Liverpool hijack Toon’s Hugo Ekitike deal after making Isak enquiry
- Doesn’t travel for pre-season tour of Singapore and South Korea, citing injury
- AUGUST: Training by himself at Newcastle
- Liverpool have £110m bid rejected
- Isak stops training and goes on strike
- Moves out of his apartment
- Releases angry statement blasting ‘trust has been lost’
- Newcastle respond by insisting he won’t be sold unless it benefits club
- Misses Newcastle’s first three games of season, including 3-2 defeat to Liverpool
- Newcastle relent and will accept £130m with 24 hours of window left
- Liverpool have £130m bid accepted on Aug 31
- SEPTEMBER: Isak travels to Liverpool for medical on deadline day morning
- Liverpool announce British record signing on deadline day at 9.30pm – two-and-a-half hours after transfer window closes
- Takes No9 shirt at Anfield
- Newcastle release blunt 37-word statement confirming exit
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It read: “Newcastle United can announce the sale of striker Alexander Isak to Liverpool for a significant British record transfer fee.
“The Sweden international joined the Magpies from Real Sociedad in 2022 and made 109 appearances in all competitions.”
Isak is back in training after his time on strike, joining up with the Swedish national team ahead of their World Cup qualifying clashes against Slovenia and Kosovo during the international break.
Isak joined Newcastle from Real Sociedad in 2022 in a deal worth £63m.
He scored 62 goals and registered 11 assists across 109 appearances for the club, helping them win their first trophy in 56 years as they beat new side Liverpool 2-1 to lift the Carabao Cup in March.
Isak, who will wear No.9 for Liverpool, said of joining the Kop club: “I feel amazing.
“It’s a mixture of what the club is building, but what they’re building on top of what the club already is. The history of the club.
“It’s been a long journey to get here. But I’m super-happy to be a part of this team, this club and everything it stands for. It’s something I’m proud of and I’m really looking forward to it.
“I’m just happy it’s done and that I can get back to work. I’m looking forward to seeing my team-mates and the fans, and getting back out there.
“I think I have a lot to give, I think I have a lot to improve. I’m a striker but I always want to give as much as possible to the team, mainly goals but much more than that as well.”
Newcastle have already used their hefty £130m cash injection to replace Isak in the squad.
Eddie Howe’s side have added Yoane Wissa of Brentford for £55m and splashed a club-record £69m on giant forward Nick Woltemade from German club Stuttgart.
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