on 1 july 2012, chelsea officially announced that kalou's contract had come to an end along with josé bosingwa, after spending six years at the london side. the club stated, "chelsea football club today bids farewell to salomon kalou, who has come to the end of his contract." he had made 254 appearances for the club, including 147 starts, and scored 60 goals. after his release, kalou was linked with numerous big clubs across europe, including the likes of schalke 04, liverpool, galatasaray, newcastle united and arsenal.