Isak expressed his desire to leave Newcastle throughout the summer and refused to play for the club as they remained adamant that they would not sell him.

After a long saga, he finally got his wish on Monday when Liverpool paid a British-record £130 million – £5 million of which is a solidarity payment – for the Swede.

On Instagram, Liverpool’s new No.9 called it a “honour and privilege” to sign for the Premier League champions.

In a second post, he paid tribute to Newcastle after three years where he scored 62 goals in 109 appearances and ended their 70-year trophy drought with a Carabao Cup triumph over his new employers.

“I want to express my gratitude to my teammates, the staff, and above all, the city of Newcastle and all the amazing supporters for the three unforgettable years we shared together,” Isak wrote.

“Forever grateful. Thank you, Newcastle.”

Isak’s post comes after a blunt statement from Newcastle announcing his departure – as well as a bizarre comment from his agent Vlado Lemic.

In quotes sent to Jim White and read out on talkSPORT, Lemic said: “It’s nice when you have someone to be with, but it is even nicer when you know who you will never be with again.”

In their brief statement, Newcastle made their feelings clear on Isak by not even mentioning the number of goals he scored for the club and failing to wish him well for the future after the breakdown in relationship.

Isak had accused Newcastle of “breaking promises” in an explosive statement posted on the night of the PFA Awards, with the club hitting back and claiming “no commitment has ever been made by a club official that Alex can leave Newcastle United this summer”.

Eventually, with the signings of forwards Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa confirmed, Newcastle decided to cash on their wantaway talisman on the final day.

Isak comments on Liverpool move

Isak has signed a six-year contract at Anfield and the deal took Liverpool’s summer spending total to £446 million.

Asked why he wanted to join Liverpool, Isak told the club’s official website: “I think it’s a mixture of what the club is building, but what they’re building on top of, what the club already is and the history of the club. So I think just me getting the chance to be a part of this, and knowing I want to create history.

“I want to win trophies, that’s ultimately the biggest motivation for me. I feel like this is a perfect place for me to grow even further and to take my game to next level and help the team as well.”

Currently on international duty with Sweden, Isak is in line to make his Liverpool debut against Burnley on 14 September.

Looking ahead, Isak will wear the No.9 shirt for Liverpool, taking over from Darwin Nunez, who departed for Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal last month.

During his first interview with the Reds, Isak expressed his delight over the transfer.

He said: “I think I have a lot to give, I think I have a lot to improve. I’m a striker but I always want to give as much as possible to the team, mainly goals but much more than that as well.”

When asked why he chose Liverpool as his next club, Isak appeared to aim a thinly-veiled dig at Newcastle.

The Swedish international explained: “I think it’s a mixture of what the club is building, but what they’re building on top of, what the club already is and the history of the club. So I think just me getting the chance to be a part of this, and knowing I want to create history.

“I want to win trophies, that’s ultimately the biggest motivation for me. I feel like this is a perfect place for me to grow even further and to take my game to next level and help the team as well.”

Isak touched on wanting to ‘win trophies’ as one of the reasons why he opted to join the Reds, despite scoring the winner at Wembley last season to help Newcastle secure the Carabao Cup, beating Liverpool.

Isak added: “I feel like this is the next step for me in my career. I’m super happy that I’ve been given this chance. Very motivated to do something well with it.

“It’s very difficult [playing at Anfield as an opponent]. I’ve had a little bit of success here, but not as a team. I think we [Newcastle] lost both games. So, it’s a very difficult place to come to and to win, which I’ve felt, and the atmosphere is something extraordinary. So yeah, I’m excited to be a part of that.”

Isak is currently on international duty and will hope to play a part in Liverpool’s match against Burnley on September 14.

Anthony Gordon has sent a goodbye message to former Newcastle teammate Alexander Isak following his British-record transfer to Liverpool – and his decision to do so has split opinion.

The biggest transfer saga of the summer was finally put to bed on Monday as Isak got his wish with hours remaining of the window.

After refusing to play for Newcastle in a bid to force through a move, the 25-year-old must have been relieved when Liverpool arrived with a Premier League record bid worth £125 million.

Speaking in his first interview with the club’s media team, Isak said: “It’s been a long journey to get here. But I’m super-happy to be a part of this team, this club and everything it stands for.”

He added: “I’m just happy it’s done and that I can get back to work. I’m looking forward to seeing my teammates and the fans, and getting back out there.”

Isak’s conduct this summer has been questioned by many. In fact, one Newcastle player had to be ‘calmed down by a compatriot’ following a meeting related to Isak’s future, according to the Mail.

But hours after the move was made official and two Newcastle players offered their best wishes to the Swede.

Taking to his Instagram story, Anthony Gordon made his feelings clear. “Regardless of the situation & what’s gone on, it’s been a pleasure to play with you,” he wrote.

“One of the best chemistries I’ve had on the pitch and more importantly a great person and teammate. I wish you nothing but the best brother.”

Sven Botman also commented on Isak‘s departure. “What started off as teammates growed in one of my rare best friendships,” he said. “No more words needed brother, all the best in your next chapter @alex_Isak.”

Anthony Gordon knows exactly how Alexander Isak feels

Gordon, who was heavily linked with a move to Anfield last summer, was the first Newcastle player to publicly address the saga involving Isak and Liverpool.

“I understand what Alex is going through,” he told the Mail during Newcastle’s pre-season tour of Asia.

“What I can say, for me, is that it’s been an absolute pleasure to be out of the transfer speculation for a summer. It’s the first time in about three years. It’s been so easy, so mentally refreshing.”

“That is why I understand what Alex is going through,” added Gordon. “I feel for him. He will be going through a lot. The club is going through a lot. I hope everyone gets what they want in the end.”

In the interview, Gordon admitted the truth about rumours linking him back to Merseyside, and revealed it was hard for him to refocus once the deal fell through.

“It’s true, that was the case,” he said. “I would never lie. It was difficult for me because one, I had the Euros, which was horrendous for me mentally. I was there, I wasn’t playing.

“Then I had the transfer stuff. With PSR, I thought I was going to leave at some point in the window. It didn’t happen. I had to get my head around that to begin with, and then to get my head around it again was hard.

On Monday night, the sto

After weeks of speculation, Isak left Newcastle to join Liverpool in a British record deal worth a reported fee of £125 millio

The Swedish international was Liverpool‘s final signing of the summer, having already added the likes of Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Giovanni Leoni to their squad.

Prior to making his move to Anfield, Isak pulled out all the tricks in order to force his way out of Newcastle.

The 25-year-old was left out of Eddie Howe’s squad for the club’s pre-season tour before declaring his desire to explore a move away.

After being left frustrated by a lack of progress on the deal, Isak reportedly stated that he will not play for Newcastle again.

Last month, the Swede also took to social media to claim that the club had broken its ‘promises.

A new report by the Daily Mail has uncovered new details about the transfer saga that went on for months.

It has been suggested that Newcastle bosses ‘needed’ the Isak sale to happen after splashing big money on German striker Nick Woltemade, who arrived for a club-record deal worth up to £69 million.

The report stated: “Sources close to the situation have said in recent days that some among the hierarchy were becoming ‘nervous’. In committing the money on Woltemade – taking summer spends to £200m – they needed the sale to happen, both from a perspective of PSR and dressing-room harmony.”

In addition, it has been suggested that senior players in the dressing room were left unimpressed by Isak’s conduct.

After a meeting related to Isak’s future, the report claimed that one player had to be ‘calmed down.

“I’m just happy it’s done and that I can get back to work. I’m looking forward to seeing my teammates and the fans, and getting back out there.

Despite being named in the PFA team of the season after scoring 23 goals in 34 Premier League appearances, Newcastle’s Isak decided not to attend the ceremony,

Instead, the Sweden international released a damning statement on social media, claiming that ‘promises’ that had been made to him by Newcastle had been broken, making his desire to leave the club this summer clear.

And now, Newcastle United have responded to their star striker’s claims with an official statement reacting to the ongoing transfer saga.

But Newcastle’s new statement reaffirms that, despite him sharing his intentions to leave online, they do not plan to sell the striker this summer as it is not in the best interest of the club.

In a post across the club website and social media, Newcastle United stated: “We are disappointed to have been alerted to a social media post by Alexander Isak this evening.

“We are clear in response that Alex remains under contract and that no commitment has ever been made by a club official that Alex can leave Newcastle United this summer.

“We want to keep our best players, but we also understand players have their own wishes and we listen to their views.

“As explained to Alex and his representatives, we must always take into consideration the best interests of Newcastle United, the team and our supporters in all decisions and we have been clear that the conditions of a sale this summer have not transpired.

“We do not foresee those conditions being met.

“This is a proud football club with proud traditions and we strive to retain our family feel. Alex remains part of our family and will be welcomed back when he is ready to rejoin his teammates.