After John Obi Mikel, another former Chelsea hero retires from football

The former Super Eagles captain only announced his retirement from football a few hours ago, but another ex-Blue has now followed him

Former Chelsea midfielder Ramires Santos do Nascimento has retired from professional football.

The former Brazil international, with a statement on his official Instagram account, drew the curtains on a career that started at lowly Joinville 16 years ago.

The statement reads: “After some reflection, I would like to inform you that I have officially decided to end my career as a professional football player. At this moment, I can only thank God first for having trained me and led me to the highest levels that sports can offer.

Many thanks also to all the clubs I went through that were @jec_oficial @cruzeiro @slbenfica @chelseafc Jiangsu and @palmeiras. I will always carry you and your fans in my heart.

Gratitude also to the Brazilian Football Team @cbf_futebol for giving me the pleasure of playing in two World Cups, which was a dream come true. Also grateful to all the teammates, employees, coaches and directors that I had the pleasure to work with.

To my family, mother, children, brothers, and true friends, thank you so much for being by my side unconditionally during all these years, vibrating for my every achievement as if it were yours, which has always been my greatest strength and motivation.

I will go in other directions, but with the same happiness and courage that I had since I was little, when, against all expectations, I left my city in the countryside of Rio de Janeiro to conquer the world. Thanks for everything, football!”

Ramires' announcement arrives a few hours after former Chelsea teammate John Obi Mikel also made public his decision to hang his boots.

Aside from numerous other laurels, Mikel and Ramires played crucial roles in helping Chelsea win the 2012 UEFA Champions League and the 2013 Europa League.