Scott Brown's emotional address as he prepares for Celtic exit

Scott Brown has delivered an emotional address as he prepares to depart Celtic at the end of the season.

The 35-year-old midfielder has signed a pre-contract with Aberdeen to become a player-coach on a two-year deal.

His decision brings down the curtain on an illustrious Hoops career which has, so far, yielded 22 major domestic honours.

Those successes rank Brown among the most decorated players in the club's history, and include nine consecutive Premiership titles and an historic quadruple Treble.

He's played under several managers from Gordon Strachan to Brendan Rodgers since signing from Hibs in 2007 and has paid tribute to them all, plus the club's fans and board, in a heartfelt statement on Thursday afternoon.

Brown said: "It was a privilege to sign for this great club all those years ago and it has been an absolute honour to play for and captain Celtic for so many years.

"I would like to sincerely thank Peter, Dermot and the Celtic board for their tremendous support over so many years. We have always enjoyed a great relationship and always worked closely together to bring our fans as much success as possible.

“I would also like to thank the great Celtic managers I have had the good fortune to work with and also so many team-mates and, of course, the Celtic fans who have given me such phenomenal support and backing over the years.

“I have always given my best to the club and always wanted the best for our fans. We have enjoyed some fantastic moments and success together, dominating the game in Scotland so regularly and enjoying some great European nights.

“It is a huge decision to leave this magnificent club, which has been such a massive part of my life for so long, but this is a new opportunity for me and a new chapter. Celtic will never leave me and the club will forever be in my heart.

“We still have work to do this season and that will of course, as ever be my full focus as we try to bring our fans more success.”

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell, who will also leave the club in the summer, paid tribute to Brown's sustained impact over the years, reports the Daily Record.

Indeed, he ranks the former Scotland international as Scottish football's most influential player of the last 15 years.

Lawwell said: "Scott Brown has been the heartbeat of Celtic for so long and without doubt, the most influential figure in the Scottish game across the past 15 years.

“With more than 600 appearances for the Club, he has made an imprint on Celtic which puts him in the company of our other true greats - and with a legacy to match.

“When he chose Celtic over others, we were of course delighted. We knew we were getting one of the country’s finest talents and he in turn a chance to take to the stage and be part of Scotland’s biggest club.

"He took this opportunity with both hands but I don’t think anyone of us would have imagined just how successful he was going to be. Ever since signing, he has lived and breathed the Club and our cause - day after day, across a decade and a half, giving his heart and soul to Celtic.

“As every Celtic Manager in the past 15 years will testify, as well as being a hugely talented player, Scott’s effort, his drive, his work ethic and his will to win, are an example to us all.

"He has been a pivotal figure in delivering such a sustained period of dominance for the club and for that, I know every Celtic supporter will be so grateful to him.