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Nothing was quite as surprising about Lloyd Sam's career at the New York Red Bulls as the end of it. Big Apple Soccer's timely rumor - revealing the player was being shopped around by RBNY - cushioned the blow, but the cold truth of his departure still felt abrupt and unexpected.
Sam has been nothing short of a legend for the Red Bulls. His achievements - two Supporters' Shields, 24 goals and 26 assists in all competitions, a Lady Gaga jacket - put him in the elite tier of players for this club. He will not be forgotten. He is already missed by fans...
Ugh. @MrLloydSam will be missed one of my fav all time #rbny players. Hate to see him playing for DCU, but I wish him, the best
— bmatt (@GetsHandsy) July 8, 2016
@MrLloydSam You were great for #RBNY Good luck in your career
— Grant McCool (@GrantIWonder) July 8, 2016
Ugh, hate to see @MrLloydSam go, he was one of my favorites. Will also be a Metro to me. #RBNY #RunWithUs
— Ryan (@terrrrrible) July 8, 2016
I see the logic in it, but it doesn't feel good at all. He's one of the good guys. #RBNY
— Euro 2016 Enjoyer (@RegardedAnalyst) July 8, 2016
Thank you for the memories @MrLloydSam and best of luck to you! Not so much the team you went to though #RBNY
— rich v (@richievvergara) July 7, 2016
...and his (former) teammates.
@MrLloydSam all the best on your new challenge. We see you soon.You will be missed here. remember: tackles makes you tougher #RBNY
— Felipe Martins (@FeliMartins8) July 8, 2016
My boy @MrLloydSam should go down as a #RBNY legend, plain and simple. Great player, great person. You will be missed mate. Good luck in DC.
— Dax McCarty (@DaxMcCarty11) July 7, 2016
Sad to lose one of my favorite teammates I ever had @MrLloydSam. DC is a very lucky bunch to have him. All the best my brother #baaadgirlll
— Connor Lade (@clade5) July 7, 2016
@DaxMcCarty11 @MrLloydSam all the Best big Man!!!! #godbless
— Aurelien COLLIN (@ampC2) July 7, 2016
Best of luck to a teammate for the past months. Been great learning from you on and off the pitch. Best of luck in DC mate @MrLloydSam!
— Tyler Adams (@tyler_adams14) July 8, 2016
Best of to luck to @MrLloydSam It was an honor to learn from such a great person, player and professional. #RBNY
— Justin Bilyeu (@Justin_Bilyeu) July 8, 2016
Gonna miss having @MrLloydSam around the lockerroom. DC is getting a great guy/player, all the best bro
— Ryan Meara (@Rmeara18) July 8, 2016
All the best for you @MrLloydSam . A new chapter in your career . A pleasure to share these 2 years with you . Good luck
— Damien Perrinelle (@DamP_92) July 8, 2016
— Brad Wright-Phillips (@TheRealBWP) July 8, 2016
The die has been cast. Sam is on his way to a new team. D.C. United is not a side it will be a thrill to watch him play for, but the man didn't choose this move and has sensibly chosen to make the best of it.
Excited to meet my new teammates and a fresh new start!! #dcunited
— Lloyd sam (@MrLloydSam) July 7, 2016
Just had a great conversation with Ben Olsen my new head coach.. Fills me with great confidence to hear his enthusiasm to come and get me..
— Lloyd sam (@MrLloydSam) July 7, 2016
Good luck, Lloyd.
No, really - good luck. You're going to need it. DCU can't even get "hello" right.
Welcome to DC, um, Llyod. Look forward to seeing you at RKF. pic.twitter.com/mGFM6w2s9U
— Brian Straus (@BrianStraus) July 7, 2016
If nothing else, Lloyd, maybe you can help them improve their spelling while you're there.