Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta has announced his departure from the club after an impressive 11-year spell in the Premier League.
The defender has left the Blues by mutual consent with one year remaining on his contract. Azpilicueta joined the club in 2012 from French side Marseille for £7million.
He has made over 500 appearances for Chelsea, winning every available major trophy in that time, including two Premier League titles, four FA Cups, the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and two League Cups.
Azpilicueta is expected to return to Spain and join Atletico Madrid in the coming days after leaving his home nation in 2010. Chelsea confirmed the 33-year-old's exit on Friday afternoon. A club statement read: "After 11 years, 508 appearances and nine trophies, Cesar Azpilicueta has decided the time is right to leave Chelsea. Congratulations for all that you achieved. You are forever a Chelsea legend."
Following the announcement of his exit, Azpilicueta penned an emotional farewell to the Chelsea supporters. "It's difficult to express with words what I feel," he told the club's media team. "It has been incredible. And just, thank you to everyone, because it couldn't have happened without the help of a lot of people. What a journey.
"This is my home and I hope to see everybody here back one day. The love they have showed me every single time is something that I'm really proud of, and hopefully we can keep this relationship forever.
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"I'm leaving Chelsea after 11 years. I could not imagine myself here today but, you know, thank you very much. I've been really proud defending this badge on and off the pitch. It has been my life.
"On the pitch, all the moments that we have shared with teammates, staff, managers. It's been incredible. When I see my first time here at the Bridge and I had the introduction to the fans, and the last game is quite the journey. I couldn't imagine to be the captain of this football club [in my last game]. I feel like I gave everything. I love it.
"When I arrived, I arrived to Champions League winners. The dressing room was full of club legends, football legends. I knew that I had to work for my place.
"For me, it's very important to go in good terms with the club, with the new ownership. I'm grateful for them, for having honest conversation and for showing my the respect. Chelsea is my home. It always will be.
"Hopefully I can come back one day here to say a proper goodbye to all of you. Keep supporting the team, the club that you love. You are the soul of the club. Keep going. I love you all."
