Goodbye to a Chelsea Legend: Cesar Azpilicueta Set to Join Atletico Madrid
Chelsea fans are saying goodbye to a club legend this week as Cesar Azpilicueta is set to join Atletico Madrid on a free transfer. The versatile defender has been with the Blues for over a decade, making 508 appearances and winning two Premier League titles, the Champions League, two Europa Leagues, the FA Cup and League Cup.
Azpilicueta, who turns 34 in August, joined Chelsea from Marseille in 2012 for a fee of around £7m. Since then, he has become one of the greatest bargains in Premier League history and is now leaving Stamford Bridge with the club’s blessing. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports that the contract will be signed and move confirmed on Thursday.
The Spaniard’s departure is part of a huge clear-out at Chelsea as they look to balance the books. Mason Mount, Kalidou Koulibaly, Mateo Kovacic, Edouard Mendy, Kai Havertz, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Edouard Mendy and N’Golo Kante have already left the club this summer, with more expected to follow including Christian Pulisic, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Hakim Ziyech and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Azpilicueta’s move to Atletico Madrid will be his first time playing in La Liga since 2010 when he left Osasuna for Marseille. He will be joining a team that has won the Spanish league title twice in the last three seasons and is currently second in the table.
The defender has been a fan favourite at Chelsea for many years and his departure will be a huge loss to the club. His professionalism and dedication have been an example to all of his teammates and his leadership qualities will be sorely missed.
Azpilicueta’s move to Atletico Madrid is a bittersweet moment for Chelsea fans. While they are sad to see him go, they are also excited to see him embark on a new challenge and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.