César Azpilicueta departs Chelsea for Atlético Madrid
Atlético Madrid announced the signing of César Azpilicueta on a free transfer from Chelsea on Thursday.
Azpulicueta signed a one-year deal with Atlético Madrid. The Chelsea legend left the Blues by mutual consent with only one year remaining on his contract in London.
Official, confirmed. César Azpilicueta is new Atlético Madrid player. ⚪️ ✔️ pic.twitter.com/J4BML1Rw6b
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 6, 2023
Azpilicueta has spent the last 11 years with Chelsea. During that time, he made 508 appearances for the club, 32 of which came last season.
He won everything a footballer could have dreamed of winning during his time in South London. The Spanish defender captained the Blues to a Champions League title, a UEFA Supercup and the club’s first-ever Club World Cup title. He also won two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, a League Cup and Europa League.
With all of his success, Azpilicueta is now one of only six players to have won the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.
He became a club legend, someone Chelsea fans could rely on to perform every week. He was integral to the success they have had in recent years and, for all of his contributions, will be fondly remembered by the Chelsea faithful for years to come.
“César leaves an everlasting mark at Chelsea, as a warrior, as a champion, and as a loyal Chelsea legend. He has set the standards at the club for more than a decade and demonstrated to everyone what is required day in, day out to achieve success,” said Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly and co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali, via release. “Coaches and teammates past and present have trusted him to lead by example as captain. He has done so immaculately on and off the pitch, something for which we are grateful. For that and so much more, César will always be welcomed back at Stamford Bridge.”
With his move away from Chelsea, Azpilicueta now joins the massive and ever-growing list of players to depart Chelsea this summer.
The 33-year-old will now return to his native Spain after thirteen years away, joining Diego Simeone’s Atlético Madrid. After finishing third in La Liga last season, Simeone will look to push for the title next season as well as competing in the Champions League.
Signing a player like Azpilicueta will certainly help Simeone’s side next season. He brings with him a level of experience that practically no other professional player has. He has won every big trophy he could have and has captained sides during important matches. There is no doubt that this experience will come in handy for Atlético next year.
He is also an incredibly versatile defender. He can play as a center back, a left back, a right back and a wingback. No matter what defensive role Simeone will need him to play, Azpilicueta will be up to the task.
This is Atlético’s third signing of the transfer window so far. They have also signed Çağlar Söyüncü on a free transfer from Leicester City and Javi Galán from Celta Vigo.
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