Chelsea have now confirmed that Hakim Ziyech has left the club on a permanent basis and joined Galatasaray.

Ziyech, 31, spent last season on loan with the Turkish team after a temporary deal with an obligation to make the move permanent was agreed. The Morocco international made 23 appearances across all competitions, scoring eight goals and assisting another four.

CHELSEA posted on the club website: ‘Hakim Ziyech has completed a permanent transfer to Galatasaray.

Ziyech initially joined the Turkish giants on loan last summer but has now departed Chelsea on a permanent basis.

The 31-year-old signed for Chelsea from Ajax in the summer of 2020 and went on to make 107 appearances. He scored 14 goals for the Blues and won the Champions League, UEFA Super Club and FIFA Club World Cup during his time at Stamford Bridge.

We thank Hakim for his efforts during his time at Chelsea and wish him well as he begins the next chapter of his career.’

Ziyech will receive the same wages for that season if it kicks in. The move comes four years after Chelsea paid £33.4million to Ajax in the summer of 2020.

Ziyech has yet to comment on confirmation of the move but spoke out against the club in an interview with Voetbal International. “We had three teams there with top players. At a certain point, we run out of patience. A selection with 40 players for one team is simply far too much and is asking for problems.

“Pff, CHELSEA, we can talk about that for a long time. But the conclusion is that things did not turn out as we had hoped. It was a period full of coaching changes, nagging with the club management, a departure to Paris Saint-Germain that did not happen at the last minute and it was disappointing in terms of football.”