The 33-year-old Spain back won every award at Stamford Bridge, including two Premier League titles and the Champions League.
Azpilicueta’s Chelsea deal had one more year to go.
“It’s hard to put into words how I feel, it’s been so amazing,” he said.
In a video shared by the club on social media, a teary-eyed Azpilicueta said, “I feel like I gave everything.” I love it.
“I think it would be pretty easy to say that when we won the Champions League in Porto was the best time of my career. The trophy was my first as captain.
“Chelsea will always be my home, and I hope to return in a different role.”
Azpilicueta started out with his hometown team, Osasuna. He then played for Marseille for two years before moving to Chelsea for £6.5 million in August 2012.
The full-back went on to play for the west London club 508 times and score 17 goals. In 2019, he took over as captain from Gary Cahill.
Azpilicueta is one of only six players to have won the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Champions League, Uefa Super Cup, and Fifa Club World Cup. He has also played in 13 cup finals, which is a club record.
He has played 44 times for Spain and has been a steady at Stamford Bridge during a tumultuous decade that has seen 10 managers leave and a change in ownership.
Azpilicueta won the Premier League in 2015 under Jose Mourinho and again in 2017 under Antonio Conte. He was also only the second Chelsea captain to win the Champions League.
In the final, Thomas Tuchel’s team beat Manchester City. In 2013 and 2019, he also won the Europa League twice.
The Spaniard was linked to a move to Barcelona before signing a new two-year contract in August 2022. However, he is the latest senior player to leave the club during what has been a transitional summer under new boss Mauricio Pochettino.
Kai Havertz went to Arsenal and Mateo Kovacic went to Manchester City. On the other hand, Manchester United got Mason Mount.
Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly, and N’Golo Kante, who is a French defensive player, have also left to play in the Saudi Pro League.
