Missy Bo Kearns delivers emotional Liverpool Women farewell message after joining new club
Missy Bo Kearns has delivered an emotional farewell message to Liverpool supporters following her move to Aston Villa.
The 23-year-old took to her Instagram account (1 August) to announce the news of her departure after 15 years at the club.
Liverpool also confirmed on their official website (1 August) that the midfielder had joined Aston Villa for an undisclosed fee, now believed to be in the region of £100,000 including add-ons (BBC Sport, 1 August).
She said: “I’m sad to say my time at Liverpool has come to an end. To play for the club I’ve grown up supporting has been a dream come true.
“I’ve had so many amazing memories on and off the pitch, from being promoted, to becoming the youngest captain, to even having my own mural alongside Liverpool legends.
“I’ve seen teammates become friends for life, and I want to thank all the staff for everything they’ve done for me over the years.
“Finally, the fans you mean everything to me – thank you for always supporting me. You’ll forever be in my heart, Reds. YNWA”
Missy Bo Kearns leaves Liverpool Women
Liverpool fans have to watch one of their own leave the club – a decision that the Reds and Matt Beard come to regret.
Her departure is not one Liverpool fans will have been expecting. Her determination and desire to play for the club was unmatched but ultimately it came down to a lack of game time, having made only nine starts in the WSL last term.
Kearns found her game time limited last season, with Beard preferring a midfield three of Marie Hobinger, Fuki Nagano and Ceri Holland.
Aston Villa finished seventh in the Women’s Super League last season, 17 points behind Liverpool in fourth. On paper, it is a step down, but Kearns will become a first-team regular for a young squad with plenty of potential.
The European Championship is next summer and Kearns is desperate for a place in the squad and regular game time at the Bescot Stadium will serve her a better chance of doing so, than competing for a spot in Beard’s side.
Liverpool have received a sizeable fee for her, the £100,000 can be invested into the side and help Beard improve on last season’s fourth-placed finish, but this move still leaves a sour taste in the mouth of fans, as she had played for the Reds from the age of eight and was expected to stay until she hung up her boots.
Kearns put her love for the Reds aside and made the best decision for her career, and that can only be respected, but there will always be a case of what if when it comes to Kearns, especially if she performs to the levels the fans know she can for Aston Villa next season.
In other Liverpool news, Jarell Quansah shows why he has to start after his latest Liverpool display.
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