Dirk Kuyt has insisted that the appointment of Brendan Rodgers as Liverpool's manager had nothing to do with his decision to join Fenerbahce.
The Turkish club announced the signing of the Holland striker on Sunday on a three-year contract, ending his six-year spell on Merseyside.
The 31-year-old found first-team starts limited under Kenny Dalglish last season, and even the Scot's departure and the arrival of Rodgers as his replacement on Friday could not stop him leaving.
"After six years I am ready for a new challenge," Kuyt said. "[The club and supporters] I will always carry in my heart. The appointment of the new coach has nothing to do with it. But when Fenerbahce came to me and made their ambitions known, from the first moment I was sold. They give me the confidence that I lost."
Kuyt, who had a year to run on his Anfield contract, was widely expected to leave Merseyside this summer after a season in which he scored only two Premier League goals. He claimed last week that he had attracted interest from a host of clubs across Europe. He was strongly linked with Hamburg and a return to his former club Feyenoord, although he ruled out the latter, saying they would not be able to afford his wages.
He has opted for a move to Istanbul, possibly attracted by the prospect of Champions League football next season; Fenerbahce will enter the preliminary rounds of the competition after finishing as runners-up to Galatasaray.
Kuyt is preparing for Euro 2012 with the Holland squad and a delegation from the Turkish club travelled to Amsterdam to seal the deal. The striker said on Fenerbahce's website: "It's a very happy and proud moment. I am very happy to be part of such a big club."
He revealed he was encouraged to make the move by a former Feyenoord team-mate Pierre van Hooijdonk, who spent two seasons there. "Pierre said that Fenerbahce is a wonderful experience," Kuyt said.
Kuyt leaves Liverpool having won one trophy in six seasons on Merseyside, the Carling Cup last season, when he scored in extra time and then the penalty shootout against Cardiff City. The Dutchman scored 71 goals in 285 games for the Reds. He was never as prolific as he was in his homeland, although Liverpool often played him on the right.
The Anfield club paid tribute to Kuyt's contribution in a statement on their website. "Everyone would like to wish Dirk all the very best for the future and thank him for his contribution to the club."