Mason Mount has told Chelsea fans that it's the "right time" for him to leave the club in a message confirming his transfer to Manchester United.
The England international is the subject of a deal worth up to £60million, having completed his medical at United's training base on Tuesday and been spotted holding a red shirt. Mount, 24, has been a Chelsea player since the age of six, spending the best part of two decades with the Blues and making history.
A two-time Player of the Year award winner at senior level, the midfielder most memorably helped Chelsea win the Champions League in 2021 with a series of outstanding performances. But after entering the final 12 months of his contract and having snubbed multiple offers from the Blues hierarchy, Mount has decided to quit Stamford Bridge and given his reasoning.
In a message to Chelsea supporters on Instagram, the 24-year-old explained: "Hi Chelsea fans, given the speculation over the last six months this may not come as a surprise to you, but it doesn't make it any easier to tell you that I've made the decision to leave Chelsea.
"I feel you deserve more than just a written statement, so I wanted to tell you directly how grateful I've been for all of your support over the last 18 years. I know some of you won't be happy with my decision, but it's what's right for me at this moment in my career. I joined Chelsea when I was six years old and we've been through a lot together.
"Winning the Youth Cup, my Player of the Year awards, the Super Cup, the Club World Cup and of course that unforgettable night when we won the Champions League. I want to say thank you to the academy, Jim (Fraser) and Neil (Bath) for being so influential to me from such a young age.
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"The managers I've worked under, Frank (Lampard), Thomas (Tuchel) and Graham (Potter).
"The backroom staff, the unsung heroes of Cobham, all my teammates over the years that have become my brothers, my family for the continuous love and support, and most importantly, you guys for sticking with me throughout. Wish you all the best."
Although it's considered a shame from both a Chelsea and neutral standpoint that Mount won't continue to represent his boyhood club, it's evident that the Blues academy graduate feels the desire to close that chapter of his life.
His time at the club ended on a huge low as Chelsea finished 12th in the Premier League last season, with Mount struggling to contribute due to injury.
Mount had been in talks over a new deal for much of the 2022-23 campaign and the Blues even attempted to offer him a one-year extension so that they wouldn't risk losing him on a free next summer.
But despite the efforts of chairman Todd Boehly, their No.19 has decided to walk away.
