Atletico Madrid introduced Thursday the acquisition of Spanish defender Cesar Azpilicueta on a one-year contract as a free agent.
The seasoned participant, who bid farewell to Chelsea after an illustrious 11-season tenure, is about to deliver his experience to the La Liga facet.
Azpilicueta joined Atletico after the Premier League membership agreed to let him go along with 12 months left on his contract.
The 33-year-old returns to Spain after 13 years, the place he final spent three seasons at Osasuna from 2007 to 2010.
Azpilicueta was a mainstay at Chelsea after arriving from Ligue 1 facet Olympique de Marseille in 2012, making over 500 appearances in all competitions, scoring 17 objectives, offering 56 assists and successful each main title with the membership.
“Cesar leaves an everlasting mark at Chelsea, as a warrior, as a champion, and as a loyal Chelsea legend,” the west London membership’s chairperson Todd Boehly and co-controlling proprietor Behdad Eghbali mentioned in a joint assertion.
“He has set the standards at the club for more than a decade and demonstrated to everyone what required a day in, day is out to achieve success.”
The Champions League, Premier League, Europa League, FA Cup and League Cup winner was linked with a transfer to Serie A facet Inter Milan earlier than deciding on Atletico as his subsequent vacation spot.
He joins a rising checklist of gamers to go away Stamford Bridge this shut season after the exits of Kalidou Koulibaly, N’Golo Kante and Edouard Mendy, who all joined Saudi Pro League golf equipment.
Kai Havertz, Mateo Kovacic and academy product Mason Mount have signed for rivals Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United, respectively.
Chelsea have signed forwards Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson as they search to revive their fortunes beneath former Tottenham Hotspur supervisor Mauricio Pochettino after ending twelfth final time period – their worst end to a season since 1994.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
