Sadio Mané signs for Bayern after six trophy-laden years at Liverpool

After Bayern Munich completed the signing of Senegal forward Sadio Mané for a fee of €32 million, Liverpool head coach Jurgen Klopp called him one of the club’s greatest players ever

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp described Sadio Mané as a “modern-day icon” of the English club after the Senegal forward's move to Bayern Munich for €32 million ($33.5 million) was finalised on Wednesday.

“It’s a big moment — there is no point in anyone trying to pretend otherwise," Klopp said. “One of Liverpool’s greatest ever players is leaving and we must acknowledge how significant this is."

The 30-year-old Mané has signed a contract with Bayern through June 2025 in a deal that could end up being worth €41 million ($42.9 million) depending on future achievements at the Bavarian powerhouse.

“There are very few players like him in the world,” Bayern chief executive Oliver Kahn said. “We’re sure that Sadio Mané will delight our fans in the coming years with his spectacular style of play. He’s ambitious and eager to win more titles. This package is very strong.”

Klopp's sentiments were similar.

“He leaves with our gratitude and our love," the Liverpool manager said of Mané. "He leaves with his status among the greats guaranteed. And, yes, he leaves in a moment where he is one of the best players in world football.

“But we must not dwell on what we now lose, instead celebrate what we were privileged to have. The goals he scored, the trophies he won; a legend, for sure, but also a modern-day Liverpool icon."