Cesar Azpilicueta acknowledges the fans after the Premier League match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, May 25, 2023. /CFP
Cesar Azpilicueta has won it all.
During his 11-year spell at Stamford Bridge, the Chelsea veteran made a stunning 508 appearances for the Blues and clinched the Premier League, the FA Cup, the League Cup, the Champions League, the Europa League, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup along the way.
Signed from Marseille in 2012, the humble Spaniard is widely admired for his work ethic and adaptability in several different positions: right-back, left-back, center-back, and wing-back. He was awarded Chelsea Players' Player of the Year in 2014 and named permanent club captain in 2019 after claiming every available honor at the west London club.
Cesar Azpilicueta (C) lifts the trophy after winning the Champions League final football match at the Dragao stadium in Porto, Portugal, May 29, 2021. /CFP
Alas, in recent seasons, the toll of aging has caught up with the 33-year-old, causing physical issues and injuries that have greatly reduced his playing time. He made only 16 starts last term and Chelsea finished 12th with their lowest ever Premier League points.
Now, the time has finally come for Azpilicueta to bid farewell. On Tuesday night, Chelsea announced they have agreed to let their skipper go with 12 months left on his contract. He chose to move back to Spain and join Atletico Madrid on a one-year deal.
"It is difficult to express how I feel," a tearful Azpilicueta said in a video posted by the club. "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.
Cesar Azpilicueta wipes tears from his eyes during a video posted by Chelsea in London, England, July 6, 2023. /Chelsea
"Chelsea is my home, it always will be and hopefully I can come back in a different role."
Todd Boehly, Chelsea chairman, and Behdad Eghbali, co-controlling owner, added, "Cesar leaves an everlasting mark at Chelsea, as a warrior, as a champion, and as loyal Chelsea legend.
"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."
Cesar Azpilicueta with his daughter Martina and Chelsea mascot Stamford the lion after the Premier League match between Chelsea and Leicester City at Stamford Bridge in London, England, May 15, 2016. /CFP
Azpilicueta joins a growing list of big names to leave Stamford Bridge during this turbulent summer transfer window, after the exits of Kalidou Koulibaly, N'Golo Kante and Edouard Mendy, who all left for clubs in the Saudi Pro League.
Mason Mount, who joined Chelsea at the age of six and went on to make 195 appearances for the Blues, also jumped ship and decamped to Manchester United. Kai Havertz and Mateo Kovacic, meanwhile, have signed for Arsenal and Manchester City respectively.
To fill the void, Chelsea have added a promising prospect to their squad after completing the signing of Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson on an eight-year contract from Villarreal. He is the Blues' second summer signing after French sensation Christopher Nkunku's arrival from RB Leipzig.
Moises Caicedo (R) during the League Cup third round match between Arsenal and Brighton at the Emirates stadium in London, England, November 9, 2022. /CFP
According to multiple media outlets, Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo is another primary target for Chelsea. But Brighton are poised to ask for more than 100 million pounds ($127.3 million) for Caicedo after a benchmark was set this summer with Declan Rice's impending move to Arsenal.
Brighton have already sold Qatar World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister to Liverpool this summer. Their manager Roberto De Zerbi has admitted Caicedo could also be a departure if the price is right.