Tom Brady of the New England Patriots walks off the field before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles on November 17, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo: VCG

 

Tom Brady announced his departure from the New England Patriots on Tuesday, ending a glittering career with the franchise which spanned 20 years and six Super Bowl victories.

Brady, 42, confirmed his departure in a series of posts on social media but did not divulge where he will play next season.

"Although my football journey will take place elsewhere, I appreciate everything that we have achieved and am grateful for our incredible TEAM accomplishments," Brady said in a statement.

"I don't know what my football future holds but it is time for me to open a new stage for my life and career," he added.

Later Tuesday, US media reported Brady was set to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a multi-year deal worth $30 million a season. 

Brady is widely regarded as the ­greatest quarterback in NFL history, winning a record six Super Bowl titles in a career with the Patriots that straddled three decades.

He has won a record four Super Bowl MVP awards and has been the NFL's season MVP three times - in 2007, 2010 and 2017. He is also the oldest quarterback to win a Super Bowl, guiding the Patriots to victory over the Los Angeles Rams last year at the age of 41.

Brady's nine total Super Bowl appearances are also a record for any NFL player, a testament to his remarkable longevity.

His departure from New England ends one of the NFL's iconic double-­acts, with Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.

Belichick has been in charge in New England from the start of Brady's career, plucking him from obscurity with the 199th pick of the 2000 NFL draft and moulding the youngster into a champion quarterback.

Belichick described Brady as the "greatest quarterback of all time" in a statement Tuesday.

Brady has repeatedly stated that he plans to play until his mid-40s but speculation about his future had raged after he failed to reach agreement with the Patriots about an extension last year.

Brady's relationship with Belichick has also reportedly come under strain in recent seasons, with the quarterback increasingly at odds with the coach's austere, tough-love management style.

Although the Bucs have not reached the playoffs since 2007, the team's 7-9 record in the NFC South might have been better had it not been for quarterback Jameis Winston, who threw an eye-popping 30 interceptions over the season.