Soccer: Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has signed a new "long-term contract" with the club after returning to Merseyside following Uruguay's disappointing Olympic campaign.
Suarez endured a difficult campaign last season, having been banned for eight games after being found guilty of racially abusing Manchester United’s Patrice Evra by an FA panel.
Many suspected he would consider his future in England after being relentlessly booed by home crowds during the Olympic Games, but Suarez has today restated his loyalty to the club and its fans.
Suarez told liverpoolfc.com: "To sign a new contract with Liverpool is unbelievable for me because I am so happy here at both the club and also in the city.
"That is important for me and I am very happy with my new contract. When you are a kid, everybody wants to play for Liverpool. I am here now and it is a dream for me, and now I am a Liverpool fan.
"I am happy off the pitch because the people of Liverpool are good with me and my family. I try my best on the pitch and when you are happy off the pitch, you are happy on the pitch.
"I want to say thank-you to the fans because they are our 12th player. The supporters of Liverpool are unbelievable. Five or six years ago I watched on TV the stadium and the club, and now I play here and the supporters have helped me. That's very important for me."
New manager Brendan Rodgers said he was “delighted” to have the Uruguayan, who has scored 21 in 52 appearances for Liverpool, on board.
“When you have the opportunity to work with world-class players it's fantastic,” said Rodgers. "There were certainly a few clubs who were interested in him but over the off-season he and I communicated well - and he's committed himself for the long term here now.
"He's really looking forward to playing in this way of working. As a manager and for the supporters, I'm delighted because I know how important he is for them."
Italian giants Juventus were said to be among those keen to secure the South American's signature, though Liverpool never offered any indication they would sell him.
Suarez signed for Liverpool from Ajax in January 2011 on a five-and-a-half-year deal.
