Gazidis quits Arsenal to join Milan

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Arsenal have announced the departure of CEO Ivan Gazidis, ahead of a move to AC Milan.

Gazidis, who took over at Arsenal in January 2009, has long been linked with an exit from Arsenal. Earlier this month, head coach Unai Emery admitted he was in the dark over the 53-year-old's future.

Raul Sanllehi and Vinai Venkatesham appointed head of football and managing director respectively, as Ivan Gazidis leaves for A.C. Milan

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) September 18, 2018

Raul Sanllehi and Vinai Venkatesham will lead the club in the wake of Gazidis' departure.

In an open letter on the official Arsenal website, Gazidis wrote: "For the last 10 years I have been privileged to dedicate myself to this great club. Arsenal is entering a new chapter and I have done everything I can to ensure that it is strongly placed to take on that challenge. This includes world-class facilities and outstanding leaders in every sector who carry the values of the club, including, of course, Unai Emery, Raul Sanllehi and Vinai Venkatesham in whom I have enormous faith.

"I am now looking forward to joining one of the world's other great clubs, AC Milan, and working to restore it to its rightful place in football. Until then, I will continue to devote absolutely all my energy until my last day to ensure an orderly transition for the benefit of Arsenal Football Club.

"I am excited and energised for the future for myself and for Arsenal Football Club and I will always hold it in my heart."

Ivan Gazidis is to stand down as Arsenal CEO and move to AC Milan. David Price/Arsenal FC/Getty Images

Club chairman Sir Chips Keswick said: "Ivan has led Arsenal with skill and dedication and leaves us in a strong position. The club has been transformed and he has recruited talented people, such as Raul, Vinai and of course Unai Emery, who will take us to future success."

The boardroom shuffle is the latest round of upheaval at the club. Arsene Wenger departed after nearly 22 seasons as manager in May. In August, Alisher Usmanov agreed to sell his 30 percent stake in the club to majority owner Stan Kroenke.

Josh Kroenke, deputy chairman of Arsenal's majority owner Kroenke Sports and Entertainment UK, said: "It has been a pleasure working with Ivan. We will miss the wisdom, insight, and energy he brought to our club on a daily basis over the past decade. We are confident we have outstanding people in Raul and Vinai, and we look forward to working with them and coach Unai Emery to continue to move the club forward on and off the pitch."

Gazidis led the process of hiring Emery in May after Wenger stepped down as Arsenal manager but will now move to Italy under Milan's new owners, the Elliott Management hedge fund.

Gazidis added: "Although it is very hard to do -- the hardest decision of my life -- I believe that, after 10 years, it is the right time for me to step aside to allow new leadership, energy and ideas to take the club forward into this exciting new era. I believe in the positive force of change, both for me and for the club. While this is the most difficult and challenging course for me, I am excited to see what the future holds for this great club and I am energised by a new personal challenge with AC Milan."