Emotional Arsenal new goalkeeper, Petr Cech, writes Chelsea fans

Petr Cech has bid farewell to Chelsea supporters following his move to Arsenal and has thanked Blues owner, Roman Abramovich, for giving the transfer his blessing.

The 33-year-old keeper has signed a long-term contract with the Gunners, leaving Stamford Bridge after 11 years and over 400 appearances for the Blues.

He departs following 15 major honours, including four Premier League titles, but having seen himself last season usurped by Thibaut Courtois as Chelsea’s undisputed number one.

French champions, Paris Saint-Germain, were keen to take the Czech international to France, but Cech wanted to remain in the Premier League and has admitted himself “really excited” to be joining the Gunners.

Chelsea boss, Jose Mourinho, wasn’t keen on selling Cech to a Premier League rival, but in an open letter to supporters, Cech reveals why he wanted to stay in England, his thanks to Abramovich and that his decision has been almost 12 months in the making.

In the open letter, he said: “I thought this would never happen, but it is time for me to say goodbye to Chelsea Football Club. The club I have lived every single minute for since joining in July 2014; the club in which I thought I’d hang my gloves and boots one day and finish my career. But life doesn’t always turn out the way you think it will.

“Since 2004 it has been an incredible journey with so many highs and not many lows. We have managed to win every single English trophy as well as the Europa League and the biggest of all – Champions League. Looking back at all the achievements, including our first ever league double in 2010, back to back titles in 2005 and 2006, and multiple EPL and FA Cup wins, I couldn’t be more proud!! As a team we made history together.

“Last summer, things changed and I understood I was no longer the first choice keeper but I felt it was not the right time for me to go. During the season it became clear that my situation would not improve and as I know I am not at the stage of my career where I want to be on the bench, I made my decision to move on and look for new challenges.”

He revealed that the limited playing time gave him the chance to refresh and rest mentally “as well as make me realise just how much I enjoy playing football at the highest level, because I missed it badly and every game I was not involved.”

Cech thanked the club for the support, saying without them “it would have been impossible for us to have achieved such success.”