Joao Carlos Teixeira explains reasons for leaving Liverpool amid confirmation of FC Porto move

Joao Carlos Teixeira says the opportunity to realise his "dream" of joining FC Porto was too good an opportunity to turn down after confirmation of his exit from Liverpool. Following reports that the Portugese-born forward had turned down a new contract to stay at Anfield, Porto have announced the 23-year-old will move to the Primeira Liga giants from the start of the 2016-17 campaign.

Teixeira leaves the Reds after a four-year spell on Merseyside, during which time he made just two senior appearances – both coming under Jurgen Klopp in FA Cup ties against AFC Bournemouth and Exeter City. Klopp was a known admirer of the former Portugal Under-21 international but has seen him become the eighth departure from the club since the end of last term.

"I am from the north and to wear blue and white has always been a dream for me," Teixeira said, according to the Liverpool Echo. "Now I can work at my club in my region and my country. I had other offers but do not want anything other than to wear blue and white."

Upon the official announcement of the move, he added to the Porto website: "I am very happy. It's a dream for me to play in this great club. I aspired to wear this shirt because I was used to seeing FC Porto win over the years. I hope everything goes well and I want to give my best.

Porto endured a disastrous campaign last term, finishing third in the league 15 points behind champions Benfica, and 13 adrift of Sporting Lisbon meaning they must go through a play-off to qualify for next season's Champions League. In the Portuguese Cup final they were defeated 5-4 on penalties by Braga to end a miserable term on a losing note.

Liverpool have already allowed seven players to leave the club this summer. Jose Enrique and Kolo Toure are among five to depart after their contracts expired, while Jordan Rossiter has moved to Rangers and Jerome Sinclair will join Watford – with a tribunal required to determine his transfer fee.

Just two players have so far arrived at Liverpool in the form of Joel Matip, who signed a pre-contract agreement last February, before German Loris Karius joined from Mainz. Klopp is under pressure to add further to his squad, particularly after he hesitated from making changes during the January transfer window.