Branislav Ivanovic leaves Zenit Saint Petersburg

MOSCOW: Russian champions Zenit

Saint Petersburg

announced on Wednesday the departure of their captain, Serbian international

Branislav Ivanovic

, whose contract was due to expire this summer.


"We thank Branislav for his enormous contribution and wish him all the best for the future," Zenit said on its website.

The 36-year-old defender arrived in Saint Petersburg in February 2017 following a nine-year stint with Chelsea.

He played 125 matches and scored 12 goals at Zenit and led the side to their first double in the club's history this season.

Zenit signed Croatian defender

Dejan Lovren

from Liverpool earlier this week as his replacement.