Chelsea Transfer News: Meireles Visits the Blues for Final Goodbye, Thanks Fans for Support

Sep 13, 2012 12:32 AM EDT

Raul Meireles might have only had one year at Chelsea, but the Portuguese player made a big impact in his short stint at Stamford Bridge, helping the Blues to the FA Cup and European Champions League titles.

The midfielder paid a visit to Chelsea's Cobham training ground, to bid a final farewell to his teammates, before he starts his career with Turkish club Fenerbahce.

"I came to say goodbye to my friends and of course I will miss this club and the fans and the city," Meireles told the club's official website. "There are some great people here, they always supported me and they help everyone, so of course I had to come to say goodbye to everyone.

The 29-year-old made 48 appearances for Chelsea last season, and will take home medals from the FA Cup as well as the Champions League, despite missing the final due to suspension. Meireles made a deadline day move from Liverpool last summer for a fee of around £12 million ($19.3 million).

However, the Portuguese international was deemed surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge by Roberto Di Matteo, after the high-profile arrivals of Eden Hazard, Oscar and Marko Marin.

"It was a great year," Meireles said. "The last part of the season was great, we won the Champions League, the FA Cup, and it was very good for me.

"I will miss these moments but it is a new challenge for me and I am ready to go to Turkey. I hope things go well for me like they did at Chelsea this year.

"I have been to Fenerbahce just to sign, and tomorrow is my first day and I am excited to start.

"Thanks to the fans for their support and I will miss this club a lot, it was very nice to play for Chelsea."

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