Chelsea have announced that Ruben Loftus-Cheek has joined AC Milan on a permanent transfer.
The 27-year-old moves to Italy after a 19 year association with the club, 155 senior matches and five major trophies. Having joined the Cobham academy he now becomes the fifth player to leave Stamford Bridge this summer.
Loftus-Cheek had just 12 months left on his contract in west London with no sign of an extension and will now be seeking more first team opportunities after starting just 19 league games last season. He now moves to AC Milan and will team up with former Blues friends Fikayo Tomori and Olivier Giroud.
Upon his exit, Chelsea wrote: "After 19 years as a Chelsea player, Ruben Loftus-Cheek has left the club and completed a permanent transfer to AC Milan."
A club statement continued: "A dedicated professional and a friendly and popular person throughout Cobham, Loftus-Cheek departs having made 155 appearances – in which 13 goals were scored – and with Premier League, Europa League and UEFA Super Cup winner's medals.
"We wish Ruben the very best as he begins this next chapter in his career."
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As well as scoring the winning the goal in the 2022 FA Cup semi-final against Crystal Palace, Loftus-Cheek also endured a memorable 2018/19 campaign under Maurizio Sarri. The midfielder scoeed 10 goals with five assists across the season on the way to a third placed league finish and Europa League triumph.
Injury in an end of season friendly in America then ruled him out for an extended period of time, resulting in a stunted return to the side. He then left on loans to Fulham and Crystal Palace before regaining his place as a squad player under Thomas Tuchel.
It is believed that Milan will pay around £18million for the England international. He joins a group of players to leave SW6 this summer as Mauricio Pochettino continues a mass exodus and rebuild.
