Youri Tielemans announces Leicester City exit with touching farewell message
Youri Tielemans has confirmed he is leaving Leicester after releasing a lengthy statement on Instagram.
In a statement that was accompanied with a touching video of his best moment for the Foxes, Tielemans wrote: "Dear Leicester City fans, after 4.5 special years and with a lot of gratitude I’m bidding farewell to this incredible club.
"From the first day I set foot on this ground, your warmth and passion embraced me.
"Victory and triumph, love, hope and even defeat. We’ve shared many special moments together. I am forever grateful for your unwavering support.
"Thank you to Khun Top, the board, the staff, the players and fans for having given me and my family a home.
Chelsea complete record-breaking Enzo Fernandez transfer after deadline day rush"This is not a goodbye, but a heartfelt farewell."
The Belgium international will leave the King Power having at one time been one of the most sought after midfielders in the Premier League and an FA Cup on his honours list.
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It was Tielemans who fired home a stunner against Chelsea under the iconic Wembley in 2021 arch to hand Leicester a historic first ever FA Cup triumph.
However, much like the rest of the Foxes squad, Tielemans' form has suffered a steep decline and as a result Leicester were relegated to the Championship last weekend after heartache on the last day of the Premier League season.
It has been a miserable season at the King Power, with Dean Smith, hired after Brendan Rodgers' sacking, failing to inspire a significant turnaround in form which would have helped them avoid the drop.
While Tielemans' exit is the only one that has been confirmed as the former Anderlecht man lets his contract expire, he is not the only Foxes midfielder expected to say goodbye this summer.
The general consensus is that James Maddison is far too good to be playing Championship football and as a result, will also leave Leicester this summer.
Newcastle have been touted as a potential destination for the England international.
Just where Tielemans will end up remains a mystery, with a lot of the clubs that were once keen on the midfielder having now found alternative options and no longer need his services.
Everton chiefs face transfer backlash from fans after deadline day disasterArsenal were particularly interested in landing Tielemans' signature last summer and again in the January transfer window, but opted against despite being able to land the 26-year-old for a cut-price fee at the time as his contract neared its end.
Whoever does opt to take him will now be able to do so without having to pay a penny in transfer fees.