Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic has joined Russian Premier League side Zenit St Petersburg for an undisclosed fee on a three-and-a-half year deal.
“Branislav Ivanovic has today joined Zenit St Petersburg following a wonderful nine-year Chelsea career, during which time he became an integral member of the side and scored many important goals as we won eight major trophies,” the Premier League leaders announced on their website on Wednesday.
A true Chelsea legend. #ThankYouIvanovic pic.twitter.com/mVejYmMaPK
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 1, 2017
“Ivanovic will be best remembered for his last-gasp header which clinched the Europa League trophy in 2013, but his overall contribution during the club’s most successful years cannot be understated and he departs as a true Chelsea legend.”
Serb Ivanovic, 32, joined the Blues in January 2008 from Lokomotiv Moscow and played 377 times for the club.
He won the Champions League, Premier League twice, FA Cup three times and League Cup, and scored the winning goal in the 2013 Europa League final.
That header. ??#ThankYouIvanovic pic.twitter.com/vHcc1h53iL
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 1, 2017
However, he had only started six Premier League games this season.
Ivanovic, who was set to be out of contract at the end of the season, scored for the club in his final appearance, Saturday’s 4-0 FA Cup win over Brentford.
Even though the English transfer window closed on Tuesday, Premier League clubs can sell to teams in countries whose window remains open, such as Russia.
