Star NFL quarter-back Tom Brady is to leave the New England Patriots after playing for the team for 20 years.

The 42-year-old also won six NFL titles with the Patriots.

Brady has said he will not retire from the sport and the exact reasoning behind his departure has not been revealed.

In a statement on Twitter, he wrote: "To all my team-mates, coaches, executives and staff, Coach Belichick, RKK and the Kraft family and the entire organisation, I want to say thank you for the past twenty years of my life and the daily commitment to winning and creating a winning culture built on great values…

“Pats Nation will always be a part of me. 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 was a part of one of the most successful sporting duos of all time as he and Patriots coach Bill Belichick won more regular-season games (219) and postseason games (30) than any other quarter-back and coach.

Brady released another statement just minutes after his first to thank the fans for their unwavering support.

He wrote: "It has truly been the happiest two decades I could have envisoned in my life and I have nothing but love and gratitude for my time in New England."

It has not been revealed which team Brady will play for in the 2020 season.