Willian says he is leaving Chelsea with “his head held high” ending a seven-year spell with the Premier League club he told fans in an open letter on Sunday.
The 32-year-old Brazil winger has been linked with a move to Arsenal after he failed to agree on a new contract with the Blues.
Willian rejected Tottenham Hotspur to join Chelsea from Russian outfit Anzhi Makhachkala for £30 million ($39 million) in 2013.
He scored 63 goals in 339 appearances and won five trophies, two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, a League Cup, and the Europa League.
However, an ankle injury prevented him from playing in the FA Cup final loss to Arsenal and Saturday’s Champions League last 16-second leg thumping by Bayern Munich.
“The time has now come to move on. I am certainly going to miss my team-mates,” he said.
“I will miss all the staff at the club who’ve always treated me like a son and I will miss the fans.
“I leave with my head held high, safe in the knowledge that I won things here, and always did my best in a Chelsea shirt.”
He scored 63 goals in 339 appearances and won five trophies, two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, a League Cup, and the Europa League.
However, an ankle injury prevented him from playing in the FA Cup final loss to Arsenal and Saturday’s Champions League last 16-second leg thumping by Bayern Munich.
“The time has now come to move on. I am certainly going to miss my team-mates,” he said.
“I will miss all the staff at the club who’ve always treated me like a son and I will miss the fans.
“I leave with my head held high, safe in the knowledge that I won things here, and always did my best in a Chelsea shirt.”
Source: The Guardian
