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Adam Lallana takes out full-page ad to bid Saints goodbye

Adam Lallana may have signed for Liverpool, but he hasn't completely forgotten about Southampton just yet.

The 26-year-old completed his £25 million (S$53.5m) move to Anfield on Tuesday, but took out a full-page page the very next day in Southampton​'s Daily Echo ​to thank Saints​ fans for their support.

The midfielder had been at Southampton since the age of 12. The former club captain​ was instrumental in helping the club rise from League One to the Premier League.

He made 265 appearances for Saints​, BBC Sport reported.

Meanwhile, Liverpool has been more than happy to remind everyone that Lallana is now their man.

Already, his team jersey is for sale on the LFC official online store.

The club has also released a video with Lallana saying he is "so excited" to join LFC.

Even then, Lallana managed to sneak in many references to his former club.

"I just like to thank everyone at Southampton for what they've done for me. I've been there for best part of 14 years now, but I'm so excited for the next chapter of my career, coming to a special club like Liverpool," he said.

"People have said to me that there are similarities in the way Southampton and Liverpool play their football and I hope that makes me be able to settle that much easier. But I just can't wait to start playing with the world-class players here."

Classy behaviour? Or an attempt to placate Saints fans?

The Sun reported that Lallana issued an ultimatum, refusing to play for Southampton again if they blocked the transfer.

"Adam threw his toys out of the pram - and revealed he would never play for the team again if they did not accept Liverpool's offer," a source told the Sun. "It left a bitter taste."

Sources: Mirror, ESPN, Mail Online, The Independent, BBC Sport

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