Chelsea center-back Antonio Rudiger has joined Real Madrid on a free transfer, the Spanish club announced on Thursday. The deal is set to be concluded on June 30, when his contract with Chelsea lapses.
The German international will join Los Blancos on a four-year contract, thus marking the end of a five-year era with Chelsea. During his time with the Blues, the 29-year-old player won the 2017 Europa League, 2018 FA Cup, and the 2021 UEFA Champions League.
Communication between Rudiger and Real Madrid commenced early on in the season when the player’s representatives reached out to the La Liga champions with regard to a potential deal. At that point, Real Madrid preferred to put the move on hold due to the cost savings that would come if he was brought in on a free once his Chelsea contract expired.
Real Madrid’s interest in the player reportedly grew during the club’s Champions League quarter-final clash with Chelsea, when Rudiger scored in a 3-2 second-leg win at the Bernabeu which saw the Blues get eliminated due to a 5-4 aggregate in Real Madrid’s favor. After that moment, Rudiger’s desire to play for Real Madrid and willingness to take a wage decrease accelerated the deal.
