Marcos Alonso and Billy Gilmour have penned emotional farewells after completing transfers away from Chelsea this summer.
Alonso saw his contract terminated on deadline day ahead of his move to Barcelona, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang joining Chelsea to link-up with Thomas Tuchel once more.
Denis Zakaria also completed a deadline day switch, allowing Gilmour to depart to Brighton and Hove Albion.
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With Levi Colwill already on loan at the Seagulls, Brighton could not sign Gilmour on a temporary deal so the 21-year-old joined for a fee of £9 million instead.
The pair were seen as surplus to requirements by Tuchel, and have now penned messages of farewell as they begin their new adventures.
Taking to Instagram, Alonso wrote: “Can’t thank you enough for the 6 years we spent together. It’s been a real honour to defend the blue colour around the world and to write the history of this great club.
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“Special mention to Mr. Roman Abramovich and Antonio Conte for giving me the chance at the very beginning. All the people at the club, stadium and training ground thank you. Managers, teammates, medical staff lead by Dr. Paco Biosca, kitmen etc… it was a pleasure to share the changing room with you all these years.
“And of course, to the fans thank you for your support since day 1.
"It’s thanks to you that Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in the world so keep the blue flag flying high.
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"Yours forever, running down the left wing for you. M."
The wing-back departs after scoring several important goals for the club, with 29 netted in total in six years at Stamford Bridge.
Gilmour, on the other hand, did not play as crucial a role during his time at Chelsea but was tipped as one of the hottest young prospects in the country.
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After a miserable loan season at Norwich City last campaign, the Scotland international has decided to depart on a permanent basis.
Penning his farewell on Twitter, Gilmour wrote: “Thank you for everything Chelsea.
“I've developed so much here and met people who will be friends for life. I’ve grown from a young boy to a man but I feel now is the time to make the next step in my career.
“Good luck and all the best! Once a blue, always a blue!”
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Gilmour could face Chelsea twice in the Premier League this season after joining unbeaten Brighton on deadline day.
Topics: Chelsea, Chelsea Transfer News & Rumours, Marcos Alonso, Billy Gilmour, Barcelona, Brighton And Hove Albion, Football, Transfers
Nick Emms