Juventus have signed full-back Patrice Evra from Manchester United for a fee £1.2m.
The 33-year-old former France and United captain has signed a two-year deal with the Serie A champions.
“After a great deal of thought I have decided the time is right for me to leave Manchester United. It is the biggest decision of my career as this club is, and will always remain, in my heart,” Evra said in a letter to the club fans.
The Turin-based club sought for the services of the defender, who only signed a one-year contract extension in May, earlier in the summer but the left-back requested United to help see through the move.
Evra joined United from Monaco in 2006 for a reported fee of about £5.5m and scored 10 goals in 379 appearances.
During his nine-season stay at the 20-time champions, the Frenchman won five Premier League titles, the Champions League title, three League Cups, a Fifa Club World Cup and four Community Shield titles.
He made the PFA Premier League Team of the Year three times (2006/07, 2008/09, 2009/10) and in 2009 was voted into the UEFA Team of the Year and FIFA FIFPro World XI.
“Joining and playing for Manchester United has been a privilege, a dream come true and my time here has been so memorable. Through the good times and the bad times we have all stuck together and remained loyal,” he added.
“I have always said you don’t just join Manchester United, you join the family and long may that tradition continue.”
He is the second player to leave Old Trafford for the Italian League this summer, following the departure of fellow defensive co-hot, Nemaja Vidic, to Inter Milan; the man he stood in for as captain.
Evra had earlier announced on Monday he would be leaving United for Juve, before the club confirmed later that day.
He said: I would like to thank everyone at the club – teammates, coaches and in particular all the staff who made every single day in Carrington or at Old Trafford a special day.
“My biggest thanks go to the fans. Every single time I stepped out in that shirt I knew I was playing for the badge and for a very special club. My passion for this club will live on and I know you guys will go on to enjoy more success in the coming seasons.”
