“Lead by example” – Boehly & Eghbali pen farewell to Chelsea legend Cesar Azpilicueta

Chelsea co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali has bid farewell to Cesar Azpilicueta, who has left the club after 11 seasons.

The 33-year-old’s departure was confirmed ahead of his proposed move to Atletico Madrid where he will sign a two-year contract.

Azpilicueta joined Chelsea from Marseille for £7 million after their Champions League triumph in 2012 and has gone on to become a club legend, which has seen him captain the side since 2019.

508 appearances and nine trophies later, Azpilicueta leaves an everlasting mark at Stamford Bridge, a place he will forever call home, and his achievements and service have been recognised by two of the club’s co-owners, Boehly and Eghbali.

We are bidding an emotional farewell to a Chelsea great.

Thank you for everything, @CesarAzpi. 💙 pic.twitter.com/wHDcALJX5m

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 6, 2023

Speaking the official Chelsea website, the duo said: “Cesar leaves an everlasting mark at Chelsea, as a warrior, as a champion, and as a loyal Chelsea legend. 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.

“Coaches and teammates past and present have trusted him to lead by example as captain. He has done so immaculately on and off the pitch, something for which we are grateful. For that and so much more, Cesar will always be welcomed back at Stamford Bridge.”

Azpilicueta hopes to be able to return to Stamford Bridge one day for a ‘proper goodbye’ to the fans, who nicknamed him Dave from the moment he arrived.

“I’m leaving Chelsea after 11 years. I could not imagine myself here today but, you know, thank you very much. I’ve been really proud defending this badge on and off the pitch. It has been my life.

“This is my home and I hope to see everybody here back one day. The love they have showed me every single time is something that I’m really proud of, and hopefully we can keep this relationship forever.

“It’s difficult to express with words what I feel. It has been incredible. And just, thank you to everyone, because it couldn’t have happened without the help of a lot of people. What a journey.”

He added: “For me, it’s very important to go in good terms with the club, with the new ownership. I’m grateful for them, for having honest conversation and for showing my the respect. Chelsea is my home. It always will be.

“To the fans, I tried to give back all the love and support you have given me since I arrived. You call me Dave since the first day and I didn’t know what it meant, but in that moment I felt the connection straight away.

“Hopefully I can come back one day here to say a proper goodbye to all of you. Keep supporting the team, the club that you love. You are the soul of the club. Keep going. I love you all.”

𝒴𝑜𝓊 𝒸𝒶𝓁𝓁𝑒𝒹 𝓂𝑒 𝒟𝒶𝓋𝑒, 𝐼’𝓁𝓁 𝒶𝓁𝓌𝒶𝓎𝓈 𝒸𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒽𝑜𝓂𝑒 💙 pic.twitter.com/hSAk2DS7h8

— César Azpilicueta (@CesarAzpi) July 6, 2023