Real
Madrid have confirmed the long-awaited signing of Chelsea defender Antonio
Rudiger on a four-year deal.
The 29-year-old will move to the Bernabeu on a free transfer after he turned
down the Blues' attempts to renew his contract.
Sky Sports News reported last month Rudiger was set to join Real after
choosing the newly-crowned European champions over a host of other elite
clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus and Manchester United.
It was reported at the time that the Germany international's new deal would
be worth €400,000 (£340,000) per week.
Real say they will present Rudiger as their player at a ceremony on June 20.
Writing on Twitter, he said: "I'm proud to announce that I'll be joining
Real Madrid. I'm super excited for all the challenges ahead and can't wait
to play my first games for this huge club."
Chelsea added: "Chelsea Football Club thanks Toni for his contribution to
our success over the last five years and wishes him well in his future
career.
"He departs with 203 appearances and 12 goals to his name, in that time
establishing himself as one of the most passionate characters to represent
the club in recent memory."
Rudiger joined Chelsea from Roma five years ago, and won the 2018 FA Cup in
his first season at the club under Antonio Conte.
He then helped the Blues to Europa League glory in 2019 under Maurizio
Sarri, but struggled for games under the Italian's successor, Frank Lampard.
Rudiger was attracting interest from clubs looking to take him on loan in
January 2021, until Lampard was sacked and replaced by Thomas Tuchel, who
immediately restored his countryman to the starting XI.
The former Stuttgart and Borussia Dortmund defender was instrumental in
Chelsea's Champions League success at the end of the 2020/21 season, as well
as their Club World Cup win earlier this year.
Jules Kounde has agreed to join Chelsea
from Sevilla
Sky Sports' senior reporter Melissa Reddy:
With Rudiger's departure finally confirmed, and his fellow centre-back
Andreas Christensen also set to move to La Liga, Chelsea are now pressing
ahead with their summer recruitment plans.
The £4.25bn Todd Boehly-led consortium takeover of the club was completed
earlier this week, which should allow Thomas Tuchel to begin building his
squad for the upcoming campaign, with centre-back certain to be an area of
concern.
The Blues have a verbal agreement already in place with Sevilla defender
Jules Kounde, with the Spanish club preferring a quick deal as they aim to
balance their books before June 30.
Talks on a deal for Kounde had collapsed last year but there is optimism
from all parties it will get done this time.
Paris Saint-Germain's Presnel Kimpembe is part of a shortlist of central
defensive options and is Tuchel's preference. Atletico Madrid's Jose Gimenez
and RB Leipzig's Josko Gvardiol are also among those being looked at.
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