Chelsea conform to Azpilicueta exit after long-standing settlement with iconic captain

Jun 30, 2023 at 10:30 PM

The summer season switch window has to date seen a number of senior gamers depart Stamford Bridge in a wide-reaching clearout earlier than Mauricio Pochettino takes cost of the squad for the primary time subsequent week.

Among the subsequent to go away is ready to be Spanish defender Azpilicueta after the Blues agreed a cope with Atleti.

Chelsea are joyful to sanction the transfer for both a nominal charge or as a free switch regardless of the 33-year-old signing a two-year contract final summer season.

Azpilicueta’s settlement to remain 12 months in the past got here at a time when the west Londoners have been struggling for numbers in central defence, and in addition noticed him flip down a transfer to his homeland with Barcelona.

It was additionally beforehand recognised between the participant, then-director Marina Granovskaia and then-owner Roman Abramovich that he can be allowed to go away at a second of his selecting ought to he obtain a passable supply, as thanks for his years of service to the membership.

Chelsea paid Marseille simply £7million for Azpilicueta in the summertime of 2012 and he has gone on to make over 500 appearances for the workforce in mutliple positions throughout the backline.