Liverpool Confirm Luis Suarez Will Join Barcelona After Agreeing a Five Year Contract

Liverpool have confirmed they have agreed a deal to sell Luis Suarez to Barcelona.

Barcelona have also announced the striker's imminent arrival, confirming through their official website he will undergo a medical at the club next week and sign a five-year contract at the Nou Camp.

Suarez will be unable to play for his new club until early November due to the four month ban from all football he received from Fifa for biting Giorgio Chiellini during the World Cup.

The Uruguay international spearheaded Liverpool's title challenge last season, scoring 31 Premier League goals for the club to help them qualify for the Champions League once again.

He leaves Anfield after three years at the club, during which time he scored 69 goals in 110 appearances, but following his latest misdemeanour the club have been left with little choice but to sell the player in a deal that could reportedly be worth £75m.

A statement from Liverpool read: "Liverpool FC confirms that Luis Suarez will be leaving the club after a transfer agreement was reached with FC Barcelona. The player now has permission to complete the usual formalities, which will then conclude the transfer.

"We would like to thank Luis for his contribution and the role he played in helping bring Champions League football back to Anfield.

Everyone at Liverpool Football Club wishes Luis and his family well for the future."

Suarez will leave Anfield under a cloud of controversy but has today issued a statement thanking Liverpool supporters for their continued support.

"It is with a heavy heart that I leave Liverpool for a new life and new challenges in Spain. Both me and my family have fallen in love with this club and with the city" Suarez said.

"But most of all I have fallen in love with the incredible fans. You have always supported me and we, as a family, will never forget it, we will always be Liverpool supporters.

"I hope you can all understand why I have made this decision. This club did all they could to get me to stay, but playing and living in Spain, where my wife's family live, is a lifelong dream and ambition. I believe now the timing is right.

"I wish Brendan Rodgers and the team well for the future. The club is in great hands and I'm sure will be successful again next season.

"I am very proud I have played my part in helping to return Liverpool to the elite of the Premier League and in particular back into the Champions League.

"Thank you again for some great moments and memories. You'll Never Walk Alone."

On Thursday Suarez saw his appeal to overturn his four-month world-wide ban and nine-month international ban rejected by Fifa. The sanction also includes a stadium ban which prohibits him "from entering the confines of any stadium during the period of the ban".