Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta has finalized his transfer to Atletico Madrid.
The 33-year-old Spanish international, who had been with Chelsea for 11 years, has signed a one-year deal with the option for a second year at Atletico.
Chelsea agreed to sanction Azpilicueta’s departure a year before his contract was set to expire as a gesture of recognition for his exemplary service to the club. Azpilicueta has been an integral part of Chelsea’s success, winning every available club competition during his tenure.
Expressing his emotions, Azpilicueta bid farewell to Chelsea on social media, stating, “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.”
Azpilicueta becomes Atletico Madrid’s third signing of the summer, joining the likes of Caglar Soyuncu, who arrived on a free transfer from Leicester City, and Javi Galan from Celta Vigo. His addition further strengthens Atletico’s defensive options and brings a wealth of experience to the team.
Having joined Chelsea from Marseille in 2012, Azpilicueta established himself as one of the club’s most esteemed players, earning the captain’s armband during the 2019-20 season. With a total of 508 appearances for the Blues, Azpilicueta has left an indelible mark on the club’s history.
During his time at Chelsea, Azpilicueta achieved significant success, including two Premier League titles, two Europa League trophies, and the coveted Champions League triumph in the 2020-21 season.
With his wealth of experience and winning mentality, Azpilicueta will now bring his leadership and defensive prowess to Atletico Madrid as they aim for further success in the upcoming season.
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