Audio By Carbonatix
Brazil international Willian has taken to social media to announce his exit from Chelsea.
The 32-year-old has scored 63 goals and provided 62 assists in 339 appearances for Chelsea since his arrival from Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala in 2013.
However, Chelsea were unwilling to offer the three-year contract he desired, and he is now expected to move across London to Arsenal.
"The time has now come to move on. I am certainly going to miss my team-mates. I will miss all the staff at the club who've always treated me like a son and I will miss the fans,” wrote the forward.
"My heartfelt thanks go out to all of you and God bless you."
WILLIAN’S STATEMENT IN FULL
"They were seven wonderful years," Willian wrote.
"In August 2013 when I received the offer from Chelsea, I was convinced that this is where I wanted to play. Today, I am certain that it was the best of decisions. There were so many happy times, some sad, there were trophies and it was always very intense.
"Yet, beyond the trophies, I learnt a lot about myself. I developed a great deal, becoming a better player and a better person. With each training session, with each game, with each minute spent in the dressing room, I was always learning.
"I am really grateful to the Chelsea fans for the affectionate way they welcomed me at Stamford Bridge and their support throughout my time at the club.
"There was also criticism, which is normal, what is important though is that both the affection and criticism drove me to always give my all in every training session, every game, to be constantly improving until my very last minute in a Chelsea shirt.
"The time has now come to move on. I am certainly going to miss my team-mates. 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!
"My heartfelt thanks go out to all of you and God bless you."
Latest Stories
-
Two arrested in connection with Effiakuma viral video
26 minutes -
Keta MP lays mother to rest
56 minutes -
We must put an end to cocoa politics – Victoria Bright
1 hour -
There is a cabal in electricity sector determined to rip off Ghanaians – Prof Agyemang-Duah
2 hours -
NSA pays January 2026 allowance to National Service Personnel
2 hours -
24-Hour Economy not just talk — Edudzi Tamakloe confirms sector-level implementation
2 hours -
Four arrested over robbery attack on okada rider at Fomena
2 hours -
NDC gov’t refusing to take responsibility for anything that affects Ghanaians – Miracles Aboagye
3 hours -
Parental Presence, Not Just Provision: Why active involvement in children’s education matters
3 hours -
24-Hour economy policy fails to create promised jobs – Dennis Miracles Aboagye
3 hours -
Ghana Embassy in Doha urges nationals to take shelter after missile attack
3 hours -
Government’s macroeconomic stability commendable, but we need focus on SME growth – Victoria Bright
4 hours -
Macro stability won’t matter without food self-sufficiency- Prof. Agyeman-Duah
4 hours -
How Virtual Security Africa is strengthening safety at Mamprobi Polyclinic
4 hours -
Ghana on right track macroeconomically, but structural gaps remain – Fred Dzanku
4 hours