Nicolas Anelka has issued a statement thanking Chelsea fans for supporting him throughout his four-year tenure at the club.
The 32-year-old has joined Chinese Super League outfit Shanghai Shenhua, bringing to a close a lengthy career in Europe that started at Paris Saint-Germain in his teenage years and saw the striker play for Arsenal, Real Madrid, Liverpool and Fenerbahce among others.
Along the way, Anelka won the Premier League with Arsenal and Chelsea, the Champions League with Real Madrid and Euro 2000 with France. In 2008/09 he finished top scorer in the Premier League.
But a regime change at Chelsea with the appointment of coach Andre Villas-Boas edged Anelka out of the team and despite a brief flirtation with Major League Soccer, the Frenchman opted to continue his career in China.
The four years spent with Chelsea represent the longest continuous stretch Anelka has spent at one club, and his time there will not be forgotten.
I want to thank you all for the support you have always provided, Anelka said in a statement.
I spent four wonderful years at this great club, where I worked alongside great players that have now become dear friends. But like everything else, this adventure ends.
On the eve of my 33rd year, I am headed to a new adventure, a new life, a different pace and a different world.
I want to acknowledge and send a big thank you to the Chelsea fans, players and all those working in the shadow of the club and especially a warm thank you, England .
