Cesar Azpilicueta leaves Chelsea after 11 years
Cesar Azpilicueta leaves Chelsea to join La Liga giants Atletico Madrid. The Spanish defender will end his 11-year stay at the Stamford Bridge.
The 33-year-old has been allowed to leave the club on a free transfer in recognition of his service to the club. The Blues has waived his final year of the contract, which was due to expire next summer.
He has now signed a one-year deal with Atletico Madrid with an option for another year.
Azpilicueta joined Chelsea in 2012 from Marseille for a fee of £7 million. Since then, he has made 508 appearances for the club and has won every possible trophy with the Blues, including the Champions League in 2021.
Azpilicueta’s emotional farewell message to Chelsea Fans
Azpilicueta said, “It’s difficult to express with words what I feel. It has been incredible.
“And just thank you to everyone because this couldn’t have happened without the help of a lot of people. What a journey.
“Those moments that I take with me will last forever and I hope to see everybody back here one day.”
The Chelsea legend also wanted a move last summer for family reasons, but after Christensen and Rudiger left the Blues, Chelsea convinced him to stay at the club.
Cesar Azpilicueta leaves Chelsea to join Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid are looking to strengthen their defence ahead of the new season. They have also signed Caglar Soyuncu on a free transfer from Leicester City and Javi Galan from Celta Vigo.
Mauricio Pochettino will now have to select a new captain to lead their team. Thiago Silva, Reece James and Kepa Arrizabalaga are the contenders to take the armband.
20-year-old Malo Gusto will replace the veteran at right-back. Chelsea signed Gusto from Marseille for £31 million in January.
