Following the earlier confirmation that N'Golo Kante is leaving Chelsea to join Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, the player has issued a personal message via his Instagram account.
In the message to what he describes as the 'great and beautiful family of Chelsea', which can be read in full below, Kante thanks supporters, players, managers, staff and directors...
These are his words:
Goodbye Chelsea
The time for me has come to open a new chapter in my career.
But before that, it is so important for me to say thank you to the great and beautiful family of Chelsea.
Fans, players, managers, medical staff, board members, all those who have been with me during these last seven seasons in this legendary club.
Only good memories, great victories and memorable titles won by your side.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you very much, I will never forget you.
And of course last but not least, I thank my family, my friends, who have always been by my side in good and bad times.
Without forgetting my agent, Karim as well as my advisors Rachid and Driss who have given me such precious support since my beginnings and have been a major part of my success.
These past times have not been easy for us and our family, but we were able to stay united to face rumours and lies.
See you soon for new adventures on the pitch with Al Ittihad and the French National Team.
N’Golo.