Sami Hyypia: I will never forget the day I signed for Liverpool

Sami Hyypia has revealed that he looks back on his Liverpool career “with joy” and insists signing for the Reds was a “dream come true”.

The former Finland defender called time on 10-year spell at Anfield in 2009 after scoring 22 goals in 318 Premier League appearances for the Merseysiders.

Hyypia has since embarked on a managerial career and is currently in charge of Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen.

And the 39-year-old admits he always dreamt of playing for Liverpool as a boy.

“The day I signed my contract with Liverpool, that’s one day I will never forget because Liverpool was my favourite team when I was younger and it was a dream come true,” Hyypia told BBC Sport.

“I was there a long time and I had to leave friends there – it was a bit emotional.

“Now I think of my Liverpool career with joy, especially the fans – I always had a good relationship with Liverpool fans. I guess they saw I always tried my best on the pitch.

“I made mistakes as well and hopefully they forgive me for those mistakes and hopefully I did more good things than mistakes.”

Hyypia won the Champions League, two FA Cups, two League Cups and a Uefa Cup during a trophy-laden spell on Merseyside.