Atletico Madrid have confirmed the signing of Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta on a one-year contract.
The 33-year-old bid an emotional farewell to Chelsea fans on social media fans today after ending his highly successful 11-year spell at Stamford Bridge.
Veteran defender Cesar Azpilicueta leaves Chelsea
Azpilicueta will meet his Rojiblancos teammates for the first time as they join up for pre-season training which is expected to start tomorrow.
At Chelsea, Azpilicueta made over 500 appearances and won nine major trophies including the UEFA Champions League, two Premier League titles, and one FIFA Club World Cup.
The news was announced on Atletico’s official social media platforms and signals the second defender to have been signed by the Colchoneros on a free transfer in as many days following the news Caglar Soyuncu has arrived from Premier League side Leicester City.
🆕 @CesarAzpi is a new rojiblanco player! 🔴⚪
🖊 The Spanish international has signed for one season with our club!
👋 Welcome, Azpilicueta! 🤗 pic.twitter.com/l64vwwJYX1
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) July 6, 2023
Affectionately known as Dave due to the difficulty in pronouncing his surname, Azpilicueta becomes the eleventh player to leave Stamford Bridge this summer already. The Blues are expected to announce a new club captain in the coming days after the Spaniard’s four-year stint as skipper.
