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Real Madrid on Tuesday announced the transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo to Italy's Juventus, with the Portuguese superstar saying the time had come "for a new stage" in his life.
"Today Real Madrid wants to give thanks to a player who has demonstrated he is the best in the world and who marked one of the most brilliant periods in the history of our club and world football," the club said in a statement.
It did not give any details as to the amount of the transfer but Spanish media reports have said it could reach 100 million euros, with the 33-year-old signing a four-year contract worth 30 million euros per season.
In a letter posted on Real Madrid's website, the multiple Ballon d'Or winner said his time in Madrid had been one of the happiest in his life.
"I only have feelings of huge thanks for this club, for the fans and for this city," he said.
"But I think the time has come to open a new stage in my life and that's why I asked the club to accept to transfer me.
"I ask everyone, and especially our supporters, to please understand me," said Ronaldo.
As soon as the news of Ronaldo’s transfer broke out, Twitter was flooded with farewell and welcome tweets. The first semi-final of the FIFA World Cup between France and Belgium took a back seat.
Ronaldo’s former teammate and Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos was one of the first people to write a message for Ronaldo on Twitter.
While Juventus fans were busy welcoming the Portuguese forward, Real Madrid fans bid farewell to the star and thanked him for his service to the club in his nine years there.
Turin is now getting ready to welcome one of the biggest footballers of the era.
Real Madrid has won the La Liga twice and the Champions league four times since Ronaldo moved there from Manchester United in 2009.
(With inputs from PTI)
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