Filipe Luis Announces Atletico Madrid Departure as Defender Brings Second Spell to an End
Atletico Madrid left-back Filipe Luis has officially announced his departure from the club upon the expiry of his contract, bringing his eight years as an Atleti player to an end.
The 33-year-old made well over 300 appearances for Diego Simeone's side, first joining from Deportivo La Coruna in 2010, with an ill-fated one-year spell at Chelsea in 2014 breaking up his stay in the Spanish capital.
The Brazilian leaves as an undisputed club legend, having been an instrumental part of the side who famously won La Liga in 2013/14, and also lifting the Europa League twice and the Spanish cup among a bustling list of honours.
At his farewell event, attended by a host of his former and present colleagues, Luis said (as quoted by Cope): "I have lived here for great moments, for me today is not a sad day, it is a happy day because I have given everything for this club.
"I would not like to call it a farewell act, I would like to call it an act of gratitude, for all that I lived here, I would like to thank all those who accompanied me in this incredible adventure, with eight years in Atleti.
"Thanks to you, Michelangelo, for trusting me when I was in the Dépor still injured and then to trust me again to bring me back from London, and allow me to stay another four years, which without a doubt have been the best years of my life."
He was offered a one-year contract extension in Madrid, but opted to leave amidst a summer of rebuilding which sees him become the tenth player to depart permanently, alongside fellow defensive mainstays Diego Godin and Juanfran.
Though unconfirmed as yet, it is generally expected that he will wind down his career in his native Brazil, with Flamengo strong favourites to become his next club.
