Leighton Clarkson: A Farewell to Liverpool
Leighton Clarkson has bid an emotional farewell to Liverpool after 15 years at the club. The 21-year-old midfielder joined the Reds as a six-year-old in 2008 and went on to become a key part of the club’s academy sides before progressing into the first team. Clarkson took to Instagram to thank everyone who had helped him become the player and person he is today, before leaving for Aberdeen on a permanent deal.
A Breakthrough at Liverpool
Clarkson was part of the sides led by stand-in manager Neil Critchley in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup clashes with Aston Villa and Shrewsbury in 2019/20. He then started in the 1-1 draw with FC Midtjylland the following season, also making the matchday squad on seven further occasions as he caught the eye of Jurgen Klopp.
A New Challenge at Aberdeen
With competition fierce in the middle of the park, Clarkson has now left to join Aberdeen on a permanent deal, after a breakthrough loan last time out. He can now look to establish himself as a key player in the Aberdeen first team, having already scored six goals and assisted nine in 38 games for the club last season.
A Difficult Decision
For Clarkson, it will have been a tough decision to leave Merseyside, where he has spent the majority of his life, but it should prove to be the right one. Next season will see Aberdeen enter the Europa League at the playoff round of qualifiers, with hopes of progressing to the group stage – where they could meet Liverpool.
Conclusion
Leighton Clarkson has left Liverpool after 15 years at the club, bidding an emotional farewell to everyone who had helped him become the player and person he is today. He now embarks on a new challenge at Aberdeen, where he will look to establish himself as a key player in their first team. It was undoubtedly a difficult decision for Clarkson to leave Merseyside, but it could prove to be the right one as he looks forward to next season and a potential reunion with his former club in the Europa League.