Petr Cech has revealed in a heartfelt letter that he never envisaged leaving Chelsea after his £10million move to Arsenal was confirmed on Monday.
The goalkeeper has signed a four-year contract, worth £100,000-per-week, in a deal that seriously strengthens Arsenal ahead of next season. Cech won every domestic and European trophy at Stamford Bridge after joining from Rennes in 2004.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has wasted no time in replacing the Czech Republic No 1, making a £6m bid for Stoke’s Asmir Begovic.
Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Petr Cech from Premier League rivals Chelsea
Cech poses in his new Arsenal kit after completing the move across London from west to north
The Czech keeper could make his debut against his former club in the Community Shield
Cech prepares for his first interview as an Arsenal player after signing for his new club
Cech poses outside Arsenal's training ground at London Colney after completing a £10m move
The 33-year-old enjoyed a trophy-laden spell during his 11-year spell at Chelsea while Arsenal struggled
Cech puts pen to paper on his four-year deal, and said the Gunners' ambition drove him to move
Stoke are likely to reject the offer and will seek a fee nearer the £10m Arsenal paid for Cech, who left Stamford Bridge after losing his place to Thibaut Courtois last season.
In a poignant letter from Cech to Chelsea fans on his Twitter account, the 33-year-old attempted to explain his reasons for leaving.
‘I thought this would never happen but it is time for me to say goodbye to Chelsea,’ wrote Cech.
‘The club I have lived every single minute for since joining in July 2004, 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.
‘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.
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