Antonio Rudiger, a German international defender, has joined Real Madrid from Chelsea, the Spanish and European champions announced on Thursday.
Real Madrid has announced that the 29-year-old centre-back, who was out of contract at Chelsea, has signed a four-year contract in the Spanish capital.
Madrid announced on their official website that Rudiger would be presented at a press conference on June 20 at the club’s training complex.
He is now with Hansi Flick’s Germany side for a series of UEFA Nations League matches, with the team facing Italy away on Saturday, then England and Hungary before meeting Italy again on June 14.
Rudiger began his professional career with VfB Stuttgart and played two seasons with Roma before joining Chelsea for a record £29 million ($36.4 million) in 2017.
Rudiger won the FA Cup in 2018 and the Europa League in 2019, however he did not play in the latter final.
Last year, he assisted Thomas Tuchel’s side in winning the Champions League.
“We send Antonio Rudiger farewell as his Chelsea contract expires, bringing to a close his five trophy-laden years with the club,” Chelsea stated in a statement.
Rudiger joins a Real team that has won the Champions League after defeating Liverpool 1-0 in the final last weekend in Paris.
He will battle for a spot in the Real defense with Eder Militao, David Alaba, and Nacho Fernandez.
