After a trophy-laden 11 years at Chelsea, Spanish Defender Cesar Azpilicueta has joined Atletico Madrid. The 33-year-old, who had one year left on his contract, decided against an extension and put an end to his successful stay at Stamford Bridge.

The full-back had everything winnable at Chelsea, including the UEFA Champions League title, two Premier League titles, the FIFA Club World Cup, the carabao cup, and the FA Cup.

In a social media video where he appreciated the Blues fans, he expressed his feelings stating that he would love to come back to Chelsea, which he considers home in another capacity.

“It is difficult to express how I feel; it has been incredible. I feel I gave everything. I love it. I think it would be pretty obvious to pick the highest moment of my career when we won the Champions League in Porto. It was my first trophy as captain. Chelsea is my home, it always will be, and hopefully, I can come back in a different role.” Azpilicueta said.

Azpilicueta broke out with boyhood club Osasuna and joined Chelsea from Marseille in a £6.5m move in August 2012.

The full-back played 508 games and scored 17 goals for the West London club while succeeding Gary Cahill as the captain.

Cesar Azpilicueta joins the list of several players who have left Stamford Bridge this summer as the London team continues to clear out old legs.

Mason Mount has joined Manchester United; Kai Havertz has moved to Arsenal; Ngolo Kante and Edouard Mendy have both moved to Saudi Arabia, while Christian Pulisic, as well as a host of other players, are still linked with a move away.

 Ruben Loftus-Cheek has also left the club, while Hakim Ziyech’s proposed move to Saudi Arabia broke down over a reported knee problem which the player has refuted.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu