Former Liverpool midfielder Emre Can has revealed Jurgen Klopp wished him luck after he finalised his move to Juventus.
Can spent four years at Anfield, making over a century of Premier League appearances for the English club while also breaking into the Germany team.
However, the 2017-18 season was overshadowed by rumours over his long-term future, as he played regularly in the first team despite being in the final year of his contract.
The 24-year-old eventually announced a move to the Serie A champions on a free transfer – but is full of praise for the manager he left behind.
“Not a lot of managers would let you play so many times when you are in the final year of your contract.
“But I always did my best. I always wanted to help the team. That is what he saw. That is why he kept faith with me.”
“It is amazing to play with such a big player, maybe the best player in the world,” Can said.
“You only have to see what he did in the last few years and how many goals he scored.
“It is nice we are going to be on the same team, although the other teams in Italy are not so happy about that.”
Juventus’ average margin of success during the last seven championship-winning seasons is nine points, and Can says the target is a first Champions League success since 1996, when Didier Deschamps, Antonio Conte and Gianluca Vialli all played.
It is the “project” he was sold during months of persistent Juventus negotiating as the final months of his Liverpool contract ran down.
Can said: “I had a options to join many teams around England and Italy but Juventus so many times. They wanted me.”
Those who follow Juventus closely are adamant Ronaldo’s arrival will have to be balanced by departures so the club can comply with Financial Fair Play.
Gonzalo Higuain and Daniele Rugani have been heavily linked with Chelsea, while Miralem Pjanic and Alex Sandro continue to be mentioned in conjunction with Premier League moves.
The European transfer window closes on 31 August.
“I am really happy to be in Turin. The project is big,” Can said.
“Our main focus has to be Serie A but of course we want to win the Champions League. We don’t just go in there and think ‘we will see what happens’.
“Juventus has always tried to win the Champions League.”
Liverpool and Juventus are among several top European sides in the United States for the International Champions Cup.