Hyypia to join Leverkusen after decade with Liverpool

Liverpool's long-serving defender Sami Hyypia [ Images ] will join Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen in the close season, the Premier League club said.

The 35-year-old completed a medical at Leverkusen on Monday and will join the club at the start of pre-season training.

"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.

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

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

He has won the UEFA [ Images ] Cup, Champions League [ Images ], European Super Cup twice and the English League and FA Cup twice with Liverpool.