Miguel Azeez has sent a message to the Arsenal fans following his departure from the club on deadline day last week.

Arsenal academy midfielder Miguel Azeez signed for CD Atletico Baleares at the end of the January transfer window, bringing to an end a 16-year spell with the club.

After allowing the dust to settle for a few days, Azeez posted his farewell to the Arsenal fans on Twitter on Monday morning.

“Dear Arsenal fans, when I joined the club at the age of 5 – I never thought I would leave, as I fell in love with the club instantly,” Azeez wrote.

“But my time here has come to an end and I would like to thank all of you guys who have supported me throughout my journey, the staff and to all of the players I’ve played with over the years!

“Arsenal will always be in my heart and I wish every success to the club and for the fans. Miguel.”

The end of Azeez’s Arsenal spell had ultimately become a bit of an inevitability, following his last loan spell to Wigan.

The midfielder returned to north London over the summer, but far from getting minutes in the Gunners’ first team, Azeez instead struggled to get games with the u21s.

Previously a nailed-on starter for the Arsenal u21 side, Azeez made just three appearances for a total of 97 minutes in the first half of the 2023/24 campaign.

There’s no doubt that it can be just as hard to take a step back as a step forward for a footballer. Having to go from senior football to youth football whilst maintaining the same drive is no easy task.

Azeez made his debut for Arsenal under Mikel Arteta in 2020, but over three years later it was clear he needed a new start.

The 21-year-old has had to drop down to the Spanish third tier to get that chance, but he has the talent to take it.