'Merci Beaucoup Stade Toulousain' - Cheslin Kolbe bids Toulouse farewell, confirms Toulon move

'Merci Beaucoup Stade Toulousain' - Cheslin Kolbe bids Toulouse farewell, confirms Toulon move

Springbok winger Cheslin Kolbe has confirmed his departure from Toulouse penning an open letter to the club and its fans.

Kolbe is set to join Toulon ahead of the 2021/22 season after a successful stint at Toulouse winning two Top 14 titles and a Champions Cup title, the club's first in a decade.

The 27-year-old is set to make the move to the South of France with reports suggesting that Toulon are paying Toulouse 1.8 million Euros to buy him out of his final two years of his contract.




The World Cup-winning winger is also reported to earn around 1 million Euros as a season which will make him one of the highest-paid players in World Rugby. 

The speedster confirmed the news of his departure and arrival at Toulon via his social media channels.


'The time has come for me to say Au Revoir to one of the great chapters of all time.' his letter began.

'I don't know where to start, because I never expected the end to come so soon. I hope understand my decision to move on to Toulon was not easy. I want to express the greatest gratitude to the entire Toulouse community.'

'I will forever be grateful for everything I have learned and experienced with Stade Toulousain, the lessons learnt and the memories made, stretch far beyond the rugby field. I would like to thank Stade Toulousain for the opportunity to be apart of their legacy and making history. Thank you for your impact on my career and your role in shaping me into the player and person I am today.

'Thank you for believing in me and giving me the freedom and joy to play at my best. I have made so many special and incredible memories, friends and ultimately freinds become family. The ST brotherhood I will forever cherish. I love you my brother and I will miss you the most.'

'Most importantly, I want to thank each and every player, staff member, our bus driver, management, coaches, the commercial partners and the President, for everything you have done for me and my family and for welcoming us with open arms in 2017. We truly appreciate all your support and help, those being a phone call away, always willing to help us with our life in France, Merci, MERCI BEAUCOUP! This is not goodbye, its à bientôt.

'To the Stade Toulousain supporters,

'MERCI, MERCI, MERCI! 

'Thank you for accepting me from the start with the warmest welcome. Thank you for making Toulouse feel like our home since day one. Thank you for the kindness, love and support not only shown to me as a player, but off the field too, as well as to my family. Thank you for the level of respect you give and I am always grateful and honoured to experience and receive it. I will continue to respect you,. I will surely miss your energy, the "KOLBE" chants, the most incredible atmosphere running out onto Stade Ernst Wallon, your support at our training sessions and all your tributes and messages in the postbox and social media. It never goes unnoticed.'

'We became champions together, made history together, made history together and it was surely one of the biggest highlights of my career and life. Your love and support for Stade is profound and immense, the best I ever experienced.'

'I hope I still inspire every young boy and girl, every person, that your are never too small to dream big and you can achieve whatever you put your mind to, if you just believe.'

'It was an absolute honour to wear the ST jersey every single time. I will forever hold the Stade Toulousain legacy and incredible memories close to my heart. I have lived my dream, and it is such a privilege.'

'For that I am forever thankful.'

'Toulouse is a special place and will always be home to us. My family and I had an unbelievable journey with Stade Toulousain.'

'But for now, I look forward to a new chapter and to sieze the opportunity ahead and I hope to continue to give pave the way for many other "Cheslin Kolbes" to come.'

'So, From myself and my famiy, THANK YOU from the bottom of our heart.'

Je T'aime toujours,

Merci Beaucoup,

Cheslin Kolbe.

 
 
 
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A post shared by Cheslin Kolbe (@cheslin15)

           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           

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