Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez decided to let Luis Garcia join Atletico Madrid because he could not promise him a regular place in the team.
However, Benitez has nothing but praise for the way the midfielder went about his business during his three years at Anfield.
'He was happy here but Atletico is a good club for him,' Benitez said.
'It was the right time, because after three years maybe the situation was different.
'He wanted to play every game and that's not easy when we have other players coming here.
'This was a very good solution for him and also for us.'
Benitez added: 'I want to say 'all the best' because he was a fantastic player, a fantastic person and a fantastic professional.
'He has been a very good player for us. He has talent and the skills to change a game.
'When you are at home, the opponents play deep and there is not much space, but he can change this.
'In some games, I thought maybe if we had Luis today it would be different.'
Meanwhile, Liverpool have officially announced the capture of Ukraine striker Andriy Voronin.
It was already known the former Bayer Leverkusen star would move to Anfield and he now joins record signing Fernando Torres in beefing up the Reds' attack.
Stockport County have agreed to sell youngster Ryan Crowther to Liverpool for an undisclosed fee.
