Chelsea’s longest serving player Delac officially leaves the club after 8 years

Chelsea's longest-serving player Matej Delac's time at the club officially came to an end on Saturday after eight years and no competitive appearances.

The goalkeeper joined Chelsea from Inter Zapresic in 2010 but work permit issues meant that he was frequently loaned out.

Although Delac trained with the Chelsea first-team and featured in pre-season, he joins Danish club AC Horsens on a permanent deal having not played a competitive game for the Blues.

Despite the frustration that he endured, the 25-year-old is still grateful that he was a Chelsea player.

He wrote on Instagram: 'It has been an honour and a priviledge to be part of @chelseafc family for 8 years. I wish to thank you all in the Club for making me a better man and a better goalkeeper. 01.07.2018. I'm officially a new player of @ac_horsens, and hope to have a great time in Denmark.'

Delac's first loan spell in 2010 saw him join Chelsea's link club Vitesse. He subsequently had stints with Dynamo Ceske Budejovice, Vitoria de Guimaraes, Inter Zapresic, Vojvodina, Sarajevo, Arles-Avignon, Sarajevo (again) and Mouscron.

The shot-stopper was very highly rated as a youngster and represented Croatia at U21 level but has to play for his country on the senior stage.

Delac became Chelsea's longest-serving player last year after John Terry left to join Aston Villa.

Having finally left Chelsea, Delac will hope to play regularly at his new club and finally settle down.