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Alberto Moreno says leaving boyhood club Sevilla is “painful” but he’s excited about starting a new chapter of his career at Liverpool FC.

The Spain international left-back, who completed his £12million move to Anfield last weekend, was back in his homeland on Wednesday for a farewell press conference.

“I want to offer my thanks to everyone at the club,” Moreno told Inside Spanish Football.

“The president, the board of directors and all the managers I’ve worked with, through the youth system, and especially I want to thank (manager) Unai Emery, who gave me the opportunity to be with the first-team and for always showing confidence in me.

“I also say farewell to the great fans of this club. I have always been comfortable with them and they have treated me superbly. It’s always painful leaving the club where I’ve always been and I hope to return one day.

“I arrived here in 2004. Sevilla is the club which has given me everything, helping me grow as a player and a person. This isn’t a goodbye, but rather a farewell. I hope to be back here one day.

“I never imagined it would be as painful as this, but it’s true that when you start to say goodbye to your team-mates and all the people around the club, it hurts, but I leave to keep growing as a player.”

Moreno broke down in tears following Sevilla’s defeat to Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup in Cardiff last week.

He had discovered earlier in the day that a deal had finally been struck with Liverpool and he was withdrawn from the La Liga outfit’s starting line up.

“I found out that morning,” he added.

“Emery spoke to me and told me everything was pretty much done and I wasn’t going to play. I felt awful because I was psyched up about playing and I really wanted to play.

“I felt a sense of joy because I knew I was joining a massive club, where I’ll keep growing and improving, but I left feeling sad at the same time because I’ve left the club of my life that I love. I felt both sad and joyful.”