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‘It had to be somewhere special’ – Steve McManaman recalls Real Madrid move

Steve McManaman shocked European football in 1999 when he left Liverpool for Real Madrid in one of the game’s first high profile Bosman transfers.

McManaman had become the darling of Anfield since graduating from the club’s prolific academy, but the lure of Real Madrid was too strong, despite the fact that very few British players were moving abroad at the time.

“For me to leave Liverpool, it had to be a very special club,” the former England international and told official La Liga sponsor, Clear Men.

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“When Madrid came, with the history of Real Madrid, the iconic white football shirt and the glorious names of the past, it was a very easy decision to join Real Madrid.