Chelsea ‘Legend’ Azpilicueta Joins Atletico Madrid
Azpilicueta made 508 appearances for the Blues and won nine trophies, including the Premier League, Champions League, Europa League, Club World Cup, FA Cup and League Cup.
“Cesar leaves an everlasting mark at Chelsea as a warrior, as a champion, and as a loyal Chelsea legend,” said the club’s co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali in a statement.
“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.”
Azpilicueta won the Premier League title under Jose Mourinho and then Antonio Conte, becoming a fan favourite for his work ethic and willingness to deputise in a number of positions.
However, his final season at Stamford Bridge was a difficult one.
Chelsea finished 12th in the Premier League — their lowest placing since 1994.
“It’s difficult to express with words what I feel,” said Azpilicueta in a video posted on Chelsea’s social media accounts.
“It’s been incredible. Just thank you to everyone because it couldn’t happen without the help of a lot of people. What a journey!”
The 33-year-old, who joined Chelsea from Marseille and began his career with Osasuna, has signed a one-year deal with Spanish side Atletico.
“Cesar Azpilicueta is a new Atletico Madrid player after an agreement reached between our club and the footballer from Navarra, who will sign for one year,” Atletico said in a statement.
Real Madrid Sign 18-Year-Old Arder Guler From Fenerbahce
Guler won the Turkish Cup with Fenerbahce in the just ended season and was voted man of the match in the final.
Guler won the Turkish Cup with Fenerbahce in the just ended season and was voted man of the match in the final.
He is also a full international and the youngest player ever to score for the Turkish national side – he opened his account at just 18 years and 114 days old.
The new Real Madrid signing made his first-team debut for Fenerbahçe in August 2021, in a Europa League qualifier which came before his 17th birthday.
In that 21-22 campaign, Güler went on to play 16 times and score three goals for his club. Last season saw him truly burst onto the scene, making 35 appearances, scoring six goals and delivering some stunning performances like the one in the Turkish Cup final against Basaksehir.
In the showpiece event, he set up Fenerbahçe’s opening goal on the way to a 2-0 win and was named man of the match.
Güler has been a full international since the 19th of November 2022. He made his debut at 17 years of age, in a friendly clash against the Czech Republic.
He has now earned four caps for Turkey, scoring once. His goal came against Wales in a European Championship qualifier on June 19, 2023, making him the youngest player in his country’s history to score for the national side.
Bayer Leverkusen Sign Xhaka From Arsenal
Xhaka returns to the Bundesliga in a reported 25-million-euro ($27.2m) switch after a seven-year stint with Arsenal.
Switzerland midfielder Granit Xhaka has joined Bayer Leverkusen from Arsenal on a five-year deal, the German club announced on Thursday.
Xhaka, 30, signed for Arsenal in 2016 and had a year remaining on his contract but was expected to leave with the Gunners pursuing a move for England international Declan Rice.
“In Granit we have been able to bring in an absolute top player,” said Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes in a club statement.
Xhaka returns to the Bundesliga in a reported 25-million-euro ($27.2m) switch after a seven-year stint with Arsenal that saw him win the FA Cup twice but also be stripped of the club captaincy.
He scored 23 goals in 297 appearances for the Gunners, including twice on the final day of the season in a 5-0 home win over Wolves as Arsenal finished second in the Premier League.
His fond farewell from Arsenal supporters was evidence of Xhaka’s remarkable turnaround after he infamously swore at the crowd during a 2019 match with Crystal Palace.
“We are saying goodbye to a fantastic player and person loved by all of us,” said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
“It has been an incredible journey together for him and he has given absolutely everything for this club.”
Xhaka, who began his career with hometown club Basel, played in the Bundesliga with Borussia Moenchengladbach from 2012 to 2016.
“I know the league inside out and I watched it when I was in London,” said Xhaka.
“Bayer 04 is a club with an impressive history and ambitious targets.”
PSG Sign Skriniar, Asensio On Free Transfers
Slovakia captain Skriniar became PSG’s first signing of the summer on Thursday, joining on a free transfer a year after the French champions declined to pay Inter Milan 70 million euros ($76 million).
The 28-year-old defender joins a day after former Spain and Barcelona boss Luis Enrique was unveiled as the club’s new coach.
He is the latest manager to be handed the task of delivering the Champions League trophy that has eluded the Qatari owners since they bought the club in 2011.
Skriniar, who has signed a five-year contract, had been a top target of Luis Enrique’s predecessor Christophe Galtier.
“I am delighted to become a part of this wonderful club,” Skriniar said in a statement.
His defensive abilities will be welcome for a PSG defence that conceded 40 goals on their way to a record 11th Ligue 1 crown last term.
It was the worst defensive record for a French champion club since Lyon conceded 41 in 2003.
Skriniar enjoyed a successful six-year spell at Inter.
The 60-times capped player won the 2021 Serie A title, two Italian Cups and two Italian Super Cups.
However, he hadn’t played for Inter since March and underwent spinal surgery in France the following month.
He was on the bench for the Champions League final which Inter lost 1-0 to Manchester City.
Relations between player and club had become strained at the turn of the year and Inter stripped him of the captaincy in February after he refused to renew his contract.
“The past few months have not been easy for me,” he said.
“However, today everything is much better and I feel in perfect shape.”
Skriniar is unlikely to be the only defender PSG add to their squad with Bayern Munich’s French 2018 World Cup-winning defender Lucas Hernandez a target.
PSG also announced they had signed forward Marco Asensio, 27, on a three-year deal from Real Madrid, where he spent 10 seasons, winning 17 titles including three Champions League trophies and scoring 61 goals in 285 matches.
He also signed on a free transfer.
“It’s a privilege to be part of this great club,” said Asensio, who played in the last two World Cups for Spain, having won 37 caps in his career.
“I’m looking forward to joining my new teammates and working with them to achieve some great goals.”
