San Francisco, Apr 6 (IANS): Jason Kilar, the chief executive of WarnerMedia, has announced that he is leaving the company.

In a memo shared with staff and obtained by The Verge, Kilar said that his exit will correspond with the pending merger between WarnerMedia and Discovery.

Kilar wrote there were "many feelings one could have in a moment like this, but for me there are none bigger, or more lasting, than the feelings of gratitude and love that I have for this team, this company, and this mission," the report said.

"I have never been more fulfilled professionally. I have never been happier professionally. This team -- and what we have built together -- are the reasons for that," Kilar wrote.

Kilar has been expected to leave the company but was reported to hold his role as CEO through early 2022, around the time of the merger close.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the deal -- which has already gotten regulatory approval -- is expected to close sometime during the second quarter of 2022 but could be finalised as soon as next week.

Discovery CEO David Zaslav has long been positioned to lead the merged companies.