César Azpilicueta says goodbye to Chelsea and their fans after 11 years at the club. His Chelsea contract is terminated, and Azpi will join Atlético Madrid as revealed last week.
The 33-year-old has been a key figure for the Blues in a trophy-laden spell over the last decade that has seen him win 13 trophies - including two Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two Europa League titles and the Champions League.
His experience and solid performances at the back have been crucial to Chelsea's recent success but his game time was reduced in the last season - making just 16 Premier League starts as the team struggled in all competitions.
Azpilicueta - who was strongly linked with Barcelona last summer and was keen to move to the Nou Camp - before he eventually signed an extension in 2022 to prolong his stay in west London.
After joining from Ligue 1 side Marseille in 2012, the defender has gone on to make 508 appearances for the club and became a fan favourite while also earning the captain's armband following the departure of Gary Cahill in 2019.
Azpilicueta has played under nine different permanent managers at Chelsea and enjoyed his best run of form during the 2016-17 title winning campaign under Antonio Conte that saw him flourish in a back-three.
The Spanish international’s departure takes Chelsea’s tally of first-team sales to eight and follows Mason Mount’s exit on Wednesday.
Mauricio Pochettino is keen to clear the decks and usher in a fresh start for the club without key names who achieved success in the past - including their all action skipper Azpilicueta.
The Spaniard will be making his first return to La Liga since leaving Osasuna, where he graduated from the youth ranks, in 2010. He has earned 45 caps for the national team since making his debut in 2013.
Chelsea official:
After eleven years, 508 appearances and nine trophies, Cesar Azpilicueta has decided the time is right to leave Chelsea. Congratulations for all that you achieved. You are forever a Chelsea legend.
Azpi became the first player to win it all during his time at Stamford Bridge. In the process, he also won the hearts of supporters and cemented his place in the club’s history.
Todd Boehly, Chelsea chairman, and Behdad Eghbali, co-controlling owner, said: ‘Cesar leaves an everlasting mark at Chelsea, as a warrior, as a champion, and as loyal Chelsea legend. He has set the standards at the club for more than a decade and demonstrated to everyone what is required day in, day out to achieve success.
‘Coaches and teammates past and present have trusted him to lead by example as captain. He has done so immaculately on and off the pitch, something for which we are grateful. For that and so much more, Cesar will always be welcomed back at Stamford Bridge.’
Signed from Marseille in the summer of 2012, the man affectionately nicknamed ‘Dave’ by fans played a key role in one of the most successful spells in Chelsea’s history. And he did so in several different positions: right-back, left-back, centre-back, and wing-back.
The 33-year-old twice won the Premier League. The FA Cup and League Cup were also claimed, as was the Europa League. It was as club captain that Azpilicueta lifted the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup, and for the first time in Chelsea history, the FIFA Club World Cup.
That makes Azpilicueta one of just six players to have won the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Champions League, Super Cup and Club World Cup. His 13 major cup final appearances for Chelsea is also a club record.
The respect Azpilicueta was held in by his teammates was emphasised at the end of his second campaign in west London when was named Chelsea Player’s Player of the Year. Azpi was later named permanent club captain following the departure of Gary Cahill in 2019, although he had previously worn the armband on several occasions.
A true leader and model professional who came to embody the Blues’ winning mentality, Azpilicueta will always retain the gratitude of those at Chelsea for his crucial role on and off the pitch during such a successful period for the club.
Congratulations and good luck, Cesar. We’ll be forever grateful.
Atletico Madrid official:
César Azpilicueta is a new player for Atlético Madrid following the agreement reached between our club and the Navarrese footballer, who signs for one season. Born on August 28, 1989, in Pamplona, the defender will join the rojiblanco squad at the start of the 23/24 preseason, which begins on Friday, July 7.
At 33 years old, he is a defender with ample experience in international football. He is versatile, playing as a central defender and right-back, and will bring the demonstrated leadership throughout his career, which was further enhanced during his last period at Chelsea FC, where he was the captain of the London team.
Having developed in the youth categories of CA Osasuna, he made his professional debut at the age of 17 in the 2006/07 season in a Copa del Rey match against Getafe CF. With the first-team of Osasuna, he surpassed a hundred appearances over four seasons before heading to Olympique de Marseille. In France, he showcased his seriousness and intelligence on the field despite his youth. His time in French lands allowed him to win the Coupe de la Ligue twice and the French Super Cup once after playing 68 matches in two seasons.
With a total of 108 appearances for the Spanish national team to date, including both youth categories and the senior team, he joined Chelsea in the 2012/13 season. His tenure as a 'Blue' player was a total success for our new defender. After 508 matches with the English team, César Azpilicueta claimed up to nine club titles: one EFL Cup, one FA Cup, one UEFA Champions League, one UEFA Super Cup, one FIFA Club World Cup, two UEFA Europa League, and two Premier League titles.
The Navarrese defender successfully underwent the relevant medical examination at Vithas and then proceeded to the club offices at the Cívitas Metropolitano, where he was received by our CEO, Miguel Ángel Gil, to finalize his contract with our club.
As part of the club's digital transformation process, the agreement with our new player has been formalized through Dropbox Sign, an online tool that allows for the comfortable and secure signing of documents in digital format.
Welcome, Azpilicueta!
