Liverpool's long-serving defender Sami Hyypia will join Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen in the close season. The 35-year-old completed a medical at Leverkusen earlier today and will join the club at the start of pre-season training.

Hyypia completes a decade at Anfield having joined from Dutch side Willem II Tilburg in May 1999.

He has won the Uefa Cup, Champions League, European Super Cup twice and the League and FA Cup twice with Liverpool.

"The Finnish international has earned legendary status at Anfield for the part he has played in the club's many successes over the past decade," Liverpool said a statement on their website (www.liverpoolfc.tv).

"He will leave Merseyside with the best wishes of every Liverpool supporter."

Hyypia explained his reasons for joining the Bundesliga club on the Leverkusen website.

“The discussions with Bayer were very positive. They gave me the feeling they wanted to sign me,” he said. “I look forward to the task in Leverkusen and hope that we will be successful together.”

Bayer’s sporting director Rudi Voller was delighted to have snared the experienced defender.

He said: “Sami will bring experience and presence to our young squad.”