Divock Origi transfer decision confirmed as club release statement on Liverpool hero

Liverpool cult hero Divock Origi will return back to AC Milan after Nottingham Forest chose not to activate their option to buy the Belgian striker.

The former Reds forward joined Forest on a season-long loan on September 1, containing an option to make this a permanent move for a figure believed to be €5million (£4.2m).

Forest have opted against triggering this contract clause, however, after announcing their released and retained list on Wednesday. A Forest statement read: "The loan deals of Gonzalo Montiel, Divock Origi, Gio Reyna, Rodrigo Ribeiro and Nuno Tavares have come to an end following the conclusion of the season."

It means Origi will return to his parent club, AC Milan, who he represented during his debut season in Italy a total of 36 times in all competitions. The 29-year-old still has two years remaining on his current contract, ensuring his current employers will still fetch a fee should they decide to cash in on Origi this summer.

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Jurgen Klopp was often the striker's biggest supporter throughout his stay on Merseyside, as made clear by quotes from the former Liverpool boss after the 2019 Champions League winner scored a last-gasp winner at Wolves in December 2021.

"Divock Origi, the legend, finished it off and it's a great story," said Klopp "He's an incredible striker. For different reasons, he has not played that often but I hope one day he finds a manager that plays him more than I do.

"He's one of the best finishers I've ever seen in my life. In this great team, with our [front] three, he doesn't play all the time but he is a very positive boy, loves the club, wants to contribute, and he did in an incredible way."