Chelsea's longest serving player Matej Delac admits he could leave club after seven years without a single game

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Matej Delac believes he might finally have to leave Chelsea after eight years and no competitive games.

The 25-year-old signed for the Stamford Bridge club in 2010 from Croatian side Inter Zapresic, but work permit issues soon reared their head, meaning he could not make his Chelsea debut.

He was loaned out to Vitesse Arnhem, who regularly host Chelsea's younger players as they develop.

Chelsea goalkeeper Matej Delac has admitted he could finally leave Stamford Bridge

The 25-year-old is Chelsea's longest serving player - he trained with Kevin De Bruyne in 2012

But Delac was not able to resolve his work permit problems and has therefore not been able to play a competitive game for Chelsea.

He spent last season with Mouscron in Belgium, his 10th loan spell since joining the club.

After John Terry's departure on a free transfer in the summer, Delac is now Chelsea's longest serving player.

It still does not seem likely that he will ever play for the club in the Premier League, and despite initial high hopes, he admits he will probably have to find a new club in the near future.

The Croatian told SportSport: 'Yes, soon will come a time I'll have to leave Chelsea. 

Delac, who was on loan at Mouscron last season, has had 10 spells away from the club

He has trained with a series of iconic Chelsea players, such as striker Didier Drogba

'Many people ask me do I regret coming to Chelsea so young, and not joining some smaller club, but I feel no regret.

'Your career can always be better, but I am 25 and have been through so much, met many coaches, players, gained experience.

'The problem was not my quality, Chelsea believed in me, extended my contract several times, but the problem was always work permit.'