Chelsea player arrives for medical after two-year agreement reached

Cesar Azpilicueta will finalise his Chelsea departure to join Atletico Madrid on Thursday (July 6).

The 33-year-old has agreed a two-year deal with the Spanish side and will leave Chelsea following 11 years at Stamford Bridge having arrived from Marseille in the summer of 2012.

Azpilicueta was pictured arriving in Spain for his medical tests before his transfer is signed off to join Diego Simeone’s side.

The versatile defender made 508 appearances for Chelsea. He scored 17 goals and assisted on 56 occasions. Azpilicueta played across the whole of the back line during his time in west London, which saw him take the club captaincy when Gary Cahill departed in 2019.

Azpilicueta has won it all with Chelsea – Premier League (twice), Europa League (twice), Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup, Super Cup and Club World Cup.

When the Spaniard’s departure is officially confirmed, head coach Mauricio Pochettino will be required to name a new club captain.

Thiago Silva is the front-runner to take the captain’s armband at Stamford Bridge. Reece James, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Raheem Sterling have also been touted as potential options, with a decision likely to be made later in pre-season.

Chelsea travel to the United States later this month to face Wrexham, Brighton & Hove Albion, Newcastle United and Borussia Dortmund in preparation for their 2023/24 Premier League opener against Liverpool on August 13.