The midfielder leaves the club to be closer to his family in France Olly Groome reports
Charlton Athletic can confirm that they have agreed to cancel the contract of Alou Diarra at the player's request.
The club came to a mutual agreement with the midfielder, who wishes to return to France to be closer to his family.
World Cup finalist Diarra arrived at The Valley in February 2015 and went on to make 45 appearances for the Addicks, with his vast experience providing a huge asset for the club both on the pitch and behind the scenes at Sparrows Lane.
The 35-year-old suffered a fractured foot during the Boxing Day trip to Bristol City in December, and despite making a return to action in February, has continued to suffer complications into the new season which have kept him out of action.
Speaking to cafc.co.uk, Diarra said: "I would like to say thank you to the fans and to the club for giving me a chance to play in England. I'm very proud of the experience I have had here and I will never forget my time at Charlton.
"I have met some fantastic people here and I hope that the future for the club will be great because Charlton is now my family and the fans deserve for this club to get back to where it belongs.
"Last season was very difficult, but I gave everything for the shirt and always tried to do my best. It is now the right time to leave for me and my family to go home to France.
"Charlton will stay in my heart for the rest of my life and I know that I will be back to watch some games in the future."
The club would like to extend its thanks to Alou for his contributions to the club and wish him all the best for the future.
Real shame. A bit of a beacon in the darkness at times. Another case of injury mismanagement - rushing him back before he was ready and now he is suffering the consequences. Wishing him all the best back home.
I love the way the club have timed this. They clearly knew of his intentions well before the window, but by announcing it rather conveniently after the window has closed it means they are seemingly helpless in terms of getting a replacement. Great.
People will still say it's a smokescreen and he just wanted to get away from RD and KM but I don't believe Diarra to be like that at all. Never looked flustered and just oozed class on the pitch.
Really disappointed to hear that. The guy was pure class and we haven't seen a lot of that at our club in the last few years. Far too good for L1, but I was looking forward to seeing him play again all the same.
Understand why he'd want to move back to France and he's at the end of his career but would have liked to have seen him play for us again.
Good luck Alou, class player. We'll always have that goal to remember you by.
Can understand why absolutely no one would want to play for us if they had the choice... Not sure he'd be so keen to move back to France if the club wasn't a total circus...
Comments
NEWS | Alou Diarra leaves Charlton by mutual consent
Read more at http://www.cafc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/charlton-alou-diarra-departure-3285651.aspx#hWGfxl4SiVXz1C63.99
The midfielder leaves the club to be closer to his family in France
Olly Groome reports
Charlton Athletic can confirm that they have agreed to cancel the contract of Alou Diarra at the player's request.
The club came to a mutual agreement with the midfielder, who wishes to return to France to be closer to his family.
World Cup finalist Diarra arrived at The Valley in February 2015 and went on to make 45 appearances for the Addicks, with his vast experience providing a huge asset for the club both on the pitch and behind the scenes at Sparrows Lane.
The 35-year-old suffered a fractured foot during the Boxing Day trip to Bristol City in December, and despite making a return to action in February, has continued to suffer complications into the new season which have kept him out of action.
Speaking to cafc.co.uk, Diarra said: "I would like to say thank you to the fans and to the club for giving me a chance to play in England. I'm very proud of the experience I have had here and I will never forget my time at Charlton.
"I have met some fantastic people here and I hope that the future for the club will be great because Charlton is now my family and the fans deserve for this club to get back to where it belongs.
"Last season was very difficult, but I gave everything for the shirt and always tried to do my best. It is now the right time to leave for me and my family to go home to France.
"Charlton will stay in my heart for the rest of my life and I know that I will be back to watch some games in the future."
The club would like to extend its thanks to Alou for his contributions to the club and wish him all the best for the future.
Read more at http://www.cafc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/charlton-alou-diarra-departure-3285651.aspx#hWGfxl4SiVXz1C63.99
Just as well we have got so many central midfielders to call upon.
Good player - but he's no Kevin Foley.
Thanks Alou, you always did your best and showed your class on the pitch
That's a big loss
Understand why he'd want to move back to France and he's at the end of his career but would have liked to have seen him play for us again.
Good luck Alou, class player. We'll always have that goal to remember you by.
Wish him well, loved watching him, and spoke to him once he was a lovely bloke.
They clearly knew of his intentions well before the window, but by announcing it rather conveniently after the window has closed it means they are seemingly helpless in terms of getting a replacement. Great.
Classy statement too. Bon chance Alou.