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Liverpool confirm Agger departure

Liverpool have confirmed that defender Daniel Agger has been sold to Brondby for an undisclosed fee.

Agger missed Liverpool's opening two league matches because of a knee problem and the move is seen as an opportunity for him to regain form and fitness after a disappointing 12 months.

"Liverpool have been such a big part of my life and my family's lives for so long, that leaving is extremely difficult," Agger told Liverpoolfc.com. "The opportunity arose for me to return home to Brondby and at this stage of my career it felt like the right decision for me.

"I wouldn't leave here to go anywhere else and that has been proven by my actions in recent seasons - I have turned down many offers to move to other Premier League and European clubs.

"I would like to thank the Liverpool supporters for the incredible backing they have given me in my time here and the warmth and generosity of spirit displayed to my family.

"This has been our home and somewhere we have been very happy and settled. However, more recently I have started to feel the effects of playing regularly in a league that is as physically demanding as the Premier League is, and I would not want to stay if I did not think that I was able to meet that challenge week in, week out.

"The club itself is very special and I shall remain a supporter for the rest of my life. I regard every game I played at Anfield as a privilege."

Liverpool can today confirm that @DanielAgger has completed a return to his former team, Brondby #YNWADaniel pic.twitter.com/Z6mjJwKorQ— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 30, 2014

The 29-year-old made only 16 Premier League starts for Liverpool last season as he was troubled by injuries. He lost a regular starting place after suffering a rib injury in September, and was then ruled out for a further six weeks with a calf problem sustained in January.

Agger's first-team prospects were affected further by the signing of Dejan Lovren from Southampton for £20 million in July.

As a result of that deal, manager Brendan Rodgers had three left-sided centre-backs in his squad - Lovren, Agger and Mamadou Sakho. Rodgers declared on Friday that he was looking to move on his fringe players.

Rodgers said: "We wish Daniel and his family well for the future. We've been discussing Daniel's future with him during the close season and I know this is a decision he has reached after much soul searching and deliberation.

"Daniel loves Liverpool and the club's supporters, and has a unique connection with them. When we had the privilege to play Brondby in pre-season, we saw the esteem he is held in and I can understand why he would want to return there.

"On behalf of everyone at Liverpool, I thank Daniel for his service to the club and hope he finishes his career with some happy times in Denmark."

The Dane, a graduate of the youth set-up at Brondby and part of their 2005 Danish title-winning side, moved to Liverpool in January 2006, for £6m. He helped Liverpool win the FA Cup that year, reach the Champions League final in 2007 and win the League Cup in 2012.

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