Tammy Abraham has posted an emotional farewell to Chelsea on social media after his transfer to join Jose Mourinho's Roma was confirmed on Tuesday.
Abraham, 23, has signed a five-year contract at the Stadio Olimpico, as Marina Granovskaia secures a £30million transfer windfall to potentially help fund further incoming business before August 31.
Chelsea have included a buy-back option in the deal set at £68million. That does not become active, however, until the summer of 2023.
He has already been pictured participating in his first set of training sessions in Italy, as Abraham prepares to potentially make his debut in the Europa Conference League against Trabzonspor.
"You can sense when a club really wants you – and Roma made their interest clear immediately," Abraham told the club's website.
"Roma is a club that deserves to be fighting for titles and trophies. I’ve had the experience of winning major trophies and I want to be in those competitions again – so I want to help this team to achieve that and get to the level where Roma should be.
"It’s a massive honour to be the No.9 at this club and I just can’t wait to get started and to help the team."
Chelsea fans have already wished their academy product all the best in his new adventure abroad, and Abraham himself has responded on Instagram with a touching farewell message.
"It’s time to say goodbye to a club that means so much to me and my family," Abraham said. "From playing at the academy as a young kid from Peckham to winning the Champions League all those years later.
"I want to say thank you to my teammates, the Academy, all of the staff and of course, the Chelsea fans who have always supported me. Wouldn't be who I am today without you guys.
"Bring more trophies home boys! Love you all, TA9 out."
Several of Chelsea’s first-team players wished Abraham all the best including fellow academy graduates and close friends Reece James and Callum Hudson-Odoi.
"Good luck my brother! Gonna miss you," said James. While Hudson-Odoi posted: "Good luck brother, all the best and do your thing."
Blues legend and predecessor to Thomas Tuchel Frank Lampard gave the 23-year-old his first opportunities to shine at Stamford Bridge, and his assistant Jody Morris believes that Abraham's Roma move could be the next step in an illustrious career for the highly-rated Englishmen.
"Great move for Tam.. will no doubt learn from Jose, also learn another language and enhance his reputation globally," he said.
"Not many can say they have been Chelsea’s top scorer for two seasons in a row (even when hardly playing this year). Can take inspiration from Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne, Salah etc."
Last term, the 6ft 2ins striker scored 12 goals, but his game time was limited after the appointment of Thomas Tuchel in January.
Abraham played only 17 minutes during the final three months of the campaign - partly due to an ankle injury - and was also omitted from the matchday squad for the Champions League final.
