Soccer

Branislav Ivanovic’s career at Chelsea ends with a move to Zenit

The 32-year-old Serbian defender made 376 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea

Branislav Ivanovic has left Chelsea to join Zenit St Petersburg, the Russian club have confirmed. Photo: Getty Images

Wed Feb 1 2017 - 13:29

Branislav Ivanovic's long association with Chelsea has ended with the Serbian joining Zenit St Petersburg on a two-and-a-half-year deal.

The 32-year-old defender, who made 376 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea since he moved to Stamford Bridge in 2008, had also been linked to Everton before the transfer deadline.

A statement published on Zenit’s official website said the two clubs had agreed the switch, for an undisclosed fee, of a player whose contract was due to expire at the end of the season.

Ivanovic won the Premier League title twice, the FA Cup three times, the Champions League — although he missed the 2012 final due to suspension — and the Europa League with the Blues.

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He featured in 13 league outings for Chelsea this term, scoring his last goal for Antonio Conte’s table-toppers in Saturday’s 4-0 FA Cup defeat of Brentford.

Zenit, who are managed by Mircea Lucescu, are 17 games into their Russian Premier League campaign and sit five points behind leaders Spartak Moscow.

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