Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger will join Real Madrid as a free agent this summer after signing a four-year contract, The Athletic understands.
The Germany international put pen to paper earlier today on a deal that runs until 2026 and will see him make the switch at the end of the current season, once his terms with the Premier League club expire.
It is believed that Rudiger will earn between €9-10 million per year after tax — plus a signing-on fee — which is significantly more than he was being paid at Chelsea and what they offered to extend his stay.
The 29-year-old has already completed a medical and his agreement at the Bernabeu is said by sources to include a €400 million release clause.
Official confirmation of the move is expected after Real’s involvement in the Champions League final.
The Athletic revealed last month that Rudiger was to leave Chelsea at the culmination of the campaign.
It was news that came as a blow to the Stamford Bridge side and their coach, Thomas Tuchel. Rudiger has been one of Tuchel’s most dependable players for the past 18 months in particular and helped them to the Champions League title last season.
Chelsea were in talks to retain Rudiger but after their owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by the British government in March, negotiations over new signings and contracts were prohibited.
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