Tre gode år i Southampton er slut for Victor Wanyama. Den 24-årige kenyaner blev torsdag aften annonceret som ny spiller i Tottenham, hvor han har fået en aftale, der løber frem til sommeren 2021. Efter skiftet skriver han således i et afskedsbrev til Southampton og klubbens fans:
Kære alle,
Jeg skriver til jer med et blødende hjerte for at fortælle, at jeg forlader Southampton Football Club. Som i kan forestille jer, så er det meget følelsesladet for mig at sige farvel til klubben, der gav mig chancen for at være den første kenyaner i Premier League.
(….)
Det tog mig et stykke tid at vinde jeres tillid, men jeg kan med rette sige, at med jeres støtte og dedikation, er jeg vokset som spiller og som person. I har altid været der for at løfte os, når vi var nede og for at fejre det med os, når vi gjorde det godt. Jeg føler mig rigtig stolt over, at jeg har haft muligheden for at bære Southampton-trøjen.
(…)
Jeg vil også takke alle medlemmer af Southamptons stab; Dem, der arbejder bag scenerne og som aldrig får æren for deres bidrag til vores succes på banen. Vi er intet uden jer.
Jeg vil aldrig glemme min tid i Southampton Football Club. Klubben vil altid være i mit hjerte.
Victor Wanyama
Læs hele brevet på engelsk her:
Dear All,
I write to you with a heavy heart to announce that I will be leaving Southampton Football Club. As you can imagine it is very emotional for me to say goodbye to the club that gave me the chance to be the first Kenyan to play in Premier League.
Firstly, I would like to thank the most important part of every club, the fans. I want to reassure you that any “quotes” you have read about in the media before my move was announced are false. I would never disrespect you by talking to the media before I have talked to you guys.It took a while for me to win you all over but I can truly say that with your support and affection I have grown as a player and a person.
You guys have always been there to lift us up when we were down, and to celebrate with us when we were playing well. I feel really proud that I got the opportunity to wear the Southampton shirt.
Secondly, football is a team sport and it wouldn’t be right not to thank my amazing teammates. Jose, thanks for leading the team and always being there to pick us up when we needed encouragement. Thanks to the rest of the team for always giving 100% effort, I will miss all of you.
I also want to thank every member of the Southampton staff: those who work behind the scenes and never get credit for their contribution to our success on the pitch. We are nothing without you.
I will never forget my time in Southampton Football Club, I will keep club forever in my heart.
Yours in Sport,
Victor Wanyama
