Cesar Azpilicueta leaves Chelsea after 11 seasons

Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta has left the Premier League club after 11 seasons, the West London team announced on Thursday.

Azpilicueta had been a mainstay at Chelsea since he arrived from Ligue 1 side Olympique de Marseille in 2012, making more than 500 appearances in all competitions, scoring 17 goals, providing 56 assists and winning every major title with the club.

"Cesar leaves an everlasting mark at Chelsea, as a warrior, as a champion, and as loyal Chelsea legend," Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly and co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali said in a joint statement.

"He has set the standards at the club for more than a decade and demonstrated to everyone what is required day in, day out to achieve success."

The 33-year-old Spanish defender is expected to join La Liga side Atletico Madrid as a free agent after Chelsea agreed to let him go despite there being 12 months left on his contract.

He won it all.