Bobby Clark's farewell message to Liverpool fans confirms reason behind transfer exit

Bobby Clark has posted a goodbye message to Liverpool, confirming his transfer to Red Bull Salzburg. He has shed a little light on why he is leaving the club .

It's set to be a lucrative deal for Liverpool, who will bank $13m (£10m/€12m) for the youngster — the club confirmed the deal shortly after Clark's post. But there is still surprise in many quarters that one of the most promising youngsters from the Jurgen Klopp era is being allowed to leave under the Arne Slot regime.

It's part of a wider pattern of sales this summer. Fabio Carvalho has already left, Sepp van den Berg is due to follow him out of the door, and plenty more young players are seemingly for sale before the end of the transfer window.

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Clark was one of three young Liverpool players to post a cryptic black and white image of himself earlier in the summer. James McConnell and Harvey Blair did the same, with the latter now on the verge of moving to Portsmouth.

Amid all this intrigue, it's very interesting to hear Clark's perspective on his departure from the club. Perhaps reassuringly, his farewell stresses that the move was very much his own decision.

"After an incredible three years at Liverpool, I've decided it's time for a new challenge," he wrote on Instagram. "I've learned so much during my time at the club and am very thankful for the opportunities and experiences I've had.

"Thank you to all the fans who supported me on this journey." Clark then signed off with "YNWA".

One thing Red Bull Salzburg will be able to offer the 19-year-old is game time. He is going somewhere where he knows the manager has huge faith in him, and he can truly stake a claim for the first time in his young career.

Clark arrived at Liverpool from the Newcastle youth system. He is the son of former Premier League player Lee Clark.

Liverpool.com says: It sounds as though Clark is happy with how things have panned out this summer. It's good that there does not appear to be any ill-feeling as he moves on to a new challenge.

Liverpool will hope he thrives, and not just because of the sell-on clause it has inserted into the deal. He leaves with everyone's best wishes.

Arguably, the Austrian top flight is a little below his current level, from what we saw of him under Klopp. But that should give him the platform to really make a name for himself.