Rumors had previously swirled around the Internet that Frusciante had left the band with MusicRadar.com reporting Dec. 13 that he had been replaced with guitarist Josh Klinghoffer.

Frusciante made his announcement yesterday on his MySpace page in a post appropriately titled “Clarification.” The guitarist kicked things off by pointing out the split wasn’t due to any drama amongst bandmates.

“When I quit the band, over a year ago, we were on an indefinite hiatus. There was no drama or anger involved, and the other guys were very understanding. They are supportive of my doing whatever makes me happy and that goes both ways.

“To put it simply, my musical interests have led me in a different direction. Upon rejoining, and throughout my time in the band, I was very excited about exploring the musical possibilities inherent in a rock band, and doing so with those people in particular. A couple of years ago, I began to feel that same excitement again, but this time it was about making a different kind of music, alone, and being my own engineer.

“I really love the band and what we did. I understand and value that my work with them means a lot to many people, but I have to follow my interests. For me, art has never been something done out of a sense of duty. It is something I do because it is really fun, exciting, and interesting. Over the last 12 years, I have changed, as a person and artist, to such a degree that to do further work along the lines I did with the band would be to go against my own nature.  There was no choice involved in this decision. I simply have to be what I am, and have to do what I must do.

“Sending love and gratitude to you all. :-)”

This isn’t the first time Frusciante has quit the Peppers. After playing on 1989’s Mother’s Milk and 1991’s Blood Sugar Sex Magik, he left the band and was briefly replaced by Dave Navarro. He then teamed up with the guys once again, appearing on 1999’s Californication, 2002’s By the Way and the Peppers’ most recent release, 2006’s Stadium Arcadium.

Frusciante has released 10 solo full-length studio albums. His most recent release was this year’s The Empyrean.

After touring in support of Stadium Arcadium, the Peppers announced an indefinite hiatus in 2007, according to MTV.com. The band last performed together Aug. 26 at the U.K.’s Leeds Festival.

The band is set to take part in the MusiCares Person Of The Year Gala Jan. 29 Los Angeles Convention Center. The event honors Neil Young and also includes performances by Sheryl Crow, Emmylou Harris, Norah Jones, Dave Matthews, Wilco and Crosby, Stills & Nash.

Earlier this year Pepper drummer Chad Smith told Spin the band planned on writing songs in October with a new album possibly set for release sometime in 2010.

MusicRadar.com reported that a source close to the band claims that Josh Klinghoffer has replaced Frusciante.

“Josh Klinghoffer has been playing with the group for a couple of months now. Optimistically, the Peppers are trying to lock down a replacement for John, who has apparently quit. Mentally, John checked out a long time ago. He’s interested in doing his own thing, his own albums – the whole big rock band machinery just doesn’t appeal to him anymore.”

Klingoffer has played on several of Frusciante’s solo albums, including The Empyrean, 2004’s A Sphere in the Heart of Silence and 2004’s The Will to Death.   

Click here for Frusciante’s MySpace blog.

Click here for the MusicRadar.com article.

Click here for the Spin article.