Chelsea Football Club has released Claude Makelele on a free transfer today (Monday).

Everyone at Chelsea FC would like to take this opportunity to thank Claude for the five years of service he has given to the club.

Claude has been a key part of our trophy success during that time and we wish him well for the future.

In total, the midfielder made 217 appearances in a Chelsea shirt, scoring two goals. The first was a rebound from a penalty against Charlton at the end of our first Premier League winning season in 2005, and the second was an exquisite 25-yard volley at Tottenham in November 2006.

He will always be welcomed back to Stamford Bridge in the future either as a player or as a friend of the club.