Maccabi Tel Aviv said goodbye to Nikola Mitrovic, one of the key parts of their success over the last 2.5 years helping the club win league titles, the Treble and advancing to the Champions League. His assist to captain Eran Zahavi in the second leg of the Champions League Playoffs at Bloomfield Stadium helped propel the Yellow-and-Blue to the exclusive tournament. The Serbian talked about his time with the team, the fans and how emotional a moment it is for him as he departs the club:

“It’s true that it’s a very emotional moment. But I must continue. Life goes on.”

On his time with Maccabi:

“I enjoyed every moment that I was here and the fans deserve my thanks. I’m sorry and I am sad that I have to leave. I enjoyed my time, winning championships, last year the Treble and this year the Champions League. On one hand I’m sad but on the other I’m happy.”

Letting his teammates know that he would be leaving:

“I became strong over the time I was here. I will always follow Maccabi and the players are in my heart, the fans and the whole club. I really enjoyed being here. I told the players that I’m leaving tomorrow and they deserved to know that I was leaving, it wouldn’t have been nice otherwise. They were sad and didn’t want me to leave but this is my decision and I can’t change it.”

Being part of a historical club:

“This club will always be my club. We are a winner team and they will always be fighting for championships and go to play in Europe. The players and the people around the club are like a family. I’m really sad to leave but on the other hand I have the chance of a lifetime right now.”

Mitro’s final message to the fans:

“The fans will always be in my heart and I really love them like they love me.”