'Once a blue, always a blue' - Marcos Alonso leaves Chelsea to sign for Barcelona as Xavi continues overhaul

New Barcelona signing Marcos Alonso has paid tribute to Chelsea after six years at the club. The 31-year-old has joined the Catalan giants on a one-year deal. He made 211 appearances for the Blues after joining from Fiorentina in 2016 and left the club by mutual consent on deadline day.

Ad He was set to face stiff competition for a starting role at Stamford Bridge this season from Ben Chilwell and new signing Marc Cucurella. At Barca he is expected to compete with Jordi Alba for the left-back position. TransfersChelsea sign Aubameyang, Alonso leaves club by mutual consentYESTERDAY AT 06:46 In an Instagram post, Alonso bid farewell to the London club, and also paid a special thank you to former owner Roman Abramovich and ex-boss Antonio Conte.

«Can't thank you enough for the six years we have spent together,» Alonso wrote. «It's been a real honour to defend the blue colour around the world and to write the history of this great club. »Special mention to Mr Roman Abramovich and Antonio Conte for giving me the chance at the very beginning.

All the people at the club, stadium and training ground, thank you. Newcastle United planning January transfer window spending spree Man City excel, Man Utd turn late, Liverpool fall short — transfer window ranked «Managers, team-mates, medical staff led by Dr Paco Biosca, kitmen, etc… it was a pleasure to share the changing room with you all these years. »And of course, to the fans, thank you for your support since day one.

It's thanks to you that Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in the world so keep the blue flag flying high. «Yours forever, running down the left wing for you. »Once a blue, always a blue.