Cesar Azpilicueta has said his goodbyes to Chelsea fans with an emotional six-minute video.
The legendary full-back is set to join Atletico Madrid on a free transfer this summer, bringing his 11-year association with Chelsea to an end.
In a video posted on Chelsea's social media, a tearful Azpilicueta sent an emotional message to supporters to thank them for their adoration and vow to return to Stamford Bridge one day.
"It's difficult to express with words what I feel," he began. "It has been incredible, and just, thank you to everyone, because it couldn't happen without the help of a lot of people. What a journey.
"Those moments that I take with me will last forever. 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 I'm really proud of. Hopefully we can keep this relationship forever.
"I'm leaving Chelsea after 11 years. I could not imagine myself here today, but thank you very much. I've been really proud of defending this badge on and off the pitch. It has been my life here. So many amazing memories here, not only on the pitch, but off the pitch as well. We arrived here, just my wife and I, and now we are living with three beautiful kids.
"On the pitch, all the moments that we have shared with teammates, staff, managers... it has been incredible. When I see my first time here at the Bridge, when I had the introduction to the fans and the last game, it's quite a journey. I couldn't imagine being the captain of this football club, and I feel like I gave everything. I love it. I really enjoyed it.
"We have shared amazing memories. You have received me with open arms. Since I arrived, you have always shown me your love and your support. When I arrived, I arrived to a Champions League winners' dressing room full of club legends, football legends, and I know that I had to work for my place. I still remember my first game. It was in an academy pitch with the Under-23s. So that made me realise that I had to work hard to be able to play here.
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"It could be pretty obvious to pick the highest moment of my career, when we won the Champions League in Porto. That moment where we were champions of Europe and there was my first trophy as captain. But more than that, the moments after, with my family, with a lot of people, we worked so hard to be able to be there.
"When I first arrived to the training ground and I could see all the trophies on the wall. You want to be there and you want to be part of the history of the club. I wanted to help the club to get it and it was something I was really proud of. There were other moments where I had tough defeats in finals and we were so close to the trophies. It hurts a lot, so those moments made me proud to be part of the history of the club.
"For me, it's very important to go on good terms with the club, with the new ownership. I'm grateful for them, for having honest conversations and showing me respect. Chelsea is my home. It will always be. Hopefully I can come back in a different role, and I can only with them the best because everybody at this football club, from the staff to the fans, deserves the best and hopefully the targets can be accomplished in the next years.
"I would like to say so many things but I'm going to keep it short. I just want to say that every time that you are part of this club, that you give your best. That's how I learned to be part of Chelsea. The demand is really high, the commitment to the club, to the fans, every single day even in tough moments when it's easier to go a different path. They are the moments when you have to show the personality, the soul of the club, all together pushing in the same direction. I know that Chelsea will be back where they should be.
"To the fans, a message. I tried to give back all the love and support that you have given me since I arrived. You've called me Dave since the first day. I didn't know what it meant but, in that moment, I felt the connection straight away. The relationship on the pitch, off the pitch, is something that I will take with me, that the relationship will stay forever. Hopefully I can come back one day 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."
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This article was originally published on 90min as Cesar Azpilicueta bids tearful farewell to Chelsea after 11-year stay.
