Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta leaves Chelsea for Atletico Madrid on one-year contract

Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta has completed a move Atletico Madrid.

The defender has agreed a one-year deal with the La Liga side.

Azpilicueta, 33, had a year left on his contract but has been allowed to leave for free as he embarks on a new challenge.

The Spaniard, who joined the club from Marseille in 2012, made 508 appearances for Chelsea, and has won every club compettion available, including the Premier League, the Champions League and the Europa League.

He will follow Joao Felix out of the club’s exit door and to the Spanish capital as the Portugese’s loan spell at Chelsea from Atletico ends.

Azpilicueta could also reunite with striker Alvaro Morata, who he shared the Stamford Bridge pitch with for three years from 2017-2020.

Earlier in the day Azpilicueta had posted an emotional farewell message to the Chelsea fans.

“I’d like to say so many things, but I’m going to keep it short.

“I want to say every time you are part of this club you give your best. That’s how I learned to be part of Chelsea.

“The demands are really high, the commitment to the club, to the fans, every single day, even in tough moments when maybe it’s easier to go down a different path.

“That’s the moment to show the personality, the soul of the club, all together, pushing in the same direction.

“I know Chelsea will be back where it should be.”

Chelsea are keen to continue to trim their bloated squad following the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino.

Kai Havertz has made a permanent switch to Arsenal and Mason Mount ended his 18-year Chelsea stay to sign for Manchester United.

N’Golo Kante and Edouard Mendy have completed moves to Saudi Arabia. Kante has joined Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad whilst Mendy has signed for Al Ahli.