“Thank you to everyone,” says Chelsea midfielder after penning farewell note.
Denis Zakaria has expressed his gratitude to Chelsea fans following his departure from Stamford Bridge.
The 26-year-old will return to Juventus this summer after his season-long loan stay at Chelsea ended last weekend with the end of the 2022/23 season.
Zakaria signed on loan with the possibility of making the move permanent, but newly-appointed head coach Mauricio Pochettino decided not to activate the buy clause, sending the Swiss international back to Italy to consider his options.
Due to competition for midfield positions, he only made 11 games for Chelsea in all competitions.
Zakaria is one of many casualties in west London this summer as Chelsea restructures their roster, notably in midfield.
Jorginho was transferred to Arsenal in January, while Mateo Kovacic is close to joining Manchester City and Mason Mount is close to joining Manchester United. N’Golo Kante’s future is also uncertain; he is out of contract next month and no extension has been agreed upon. AC Milan have also been connected with Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Zakaria walks out the door with fellow loanee Joao Felix. Pochettino made the choice not to bring him back to England early this week, according to Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo.
On Thursday evening, the midfielder said goodbye to Chelsea on Instagram, writing: “It’s been a tough time but you guys always had my back. Thanks to everyone who’s been supporting me! Let’s focus on the beautiful memories.”
![### David Luiz Set for a Chelsea Reunion at the 2025 Club World Cup Former Chelsea defender David Luiz is on course for a high-profile reunion with his old club at the 2025 Club World Cup. Now 37 years old, Luiz plays for Flamengo in Brazil and is likely to face Chelsea as the two clubs compete in Group D, which also includes Esperance and Club Leon. Despite nearing the twilight of his career, Luiz has been a regular feature for Flamengo, making 34 appearances in the last year, including 22 starts. Talks are reportedly ongoing for a contract extension, signaling Luiz's intent to continue playing at the highest level. ### From Chelsea to Arsenal and Beyond Luiz enjoyed two successful spells at Chelsea, making 248 appearances and winning multiple trophies, including the Champions League in 2012 and the Premier League in 2017. His move to Arsenal in 2019 surprised many due to the intense rivalry between the London clubs. Luiz, however, explained the decision as a personal and professional step forward. > "It is always quite hard because of their rivalry, but I took the decision to leave Chelsea before I got Arsenal’s proposal... I saw this as a possibility to write a new story in a new place, but I am also eternally grateful to Chelsea." Luiz maintains a deep respect and affection for Chelsea, acknowledging the friendships and memories he built during his time at Stamford Bridge. ### A Sentimental Reunion Facing Chelsea will undoubtedly be an emotional moment for Luiz. Reflecting on his time at the club, he stated: > "Of course, it will be different [to play against Chelsea]. I have enormous affection for Chelsea, where I got titles, developed [as a player], and made great friends. But today I play for Flamengo, and I will always give my best effort to honour the shirt I am wearing." The 2025 Club World Cup promises an intriguing narrative as Luiz and Flamengo square off against Chelsea, with the veteran defender seeking to make an impact in what could be one of the final chapters of his illustrious career.](https://futaa.online/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Its-Chelsea-81-360x180.jpg)
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