Soccer transfers: Azpilicueta joins Atletico Madrid; Xhaka leaves Arsenal

Cesar Azpilicueta has ended his 11-year spell at Chelsea. He gained 9 trophies with the London membership. AP

In one other busy day on the earth of soccer transfers, Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta joined Atletico Madrid on Thursday whereas Paris Saint-Germain added some firepower to their squad with the arrival of Marco Asensio and bolstered their defence by signing Milan Skriniar on a five-year deal.

Described by Chelsea as a warrior and a champion, Azpilicueta ended his 11-year, trophy-laden spell on the London membership and signed a one-year cope with Atletico Madrid.

Spain defender Azpilicueta gained each main title with Chelsea, together with two English Premier Leagues and the Champions League.

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“Cesar leaves an eternal mark at Chelsea, as a warrior, as a champion, and as a loyal Chelsea legend,” membership co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali mentioned. “He has set the requirements on the membership for greater than a decade and demonstrated to everybody what’s required day in, day trip, to attain success.”

The 33-year-old Azpilicueta made 508 appearances for Chelsea and gained 9 trophies after signing from Marseille in 2012.

He additionally gained the FA Cup, English League Cup, two Europa Leagues, European Tremendous Cup and Membership World Cup.

PSG’s double signings

PSG introduced their first two recruits of the summer season a day after unveiling new coach Luis Enrique.

Asensio joined on a three-year deal by June 2026, PSG mentioned. The left-footed striker gained three Spanish league titles and three Champions Leagues with Actual Madrid. He beforehand labored with Enrique when the Spanish supervisor was answerable for the nationwide squad.

“It’s a privilege to be a part of this nice membership,” mentioned Asensio, who like Skriniar joined on a free switch. “I’m trying ahead to becoming a member of my new teammates and dealing with them to attain some nice objectives.”

PSG have reportedly been very lively on the switch market in current weeks and are anticipated to announce additional signings. Luis Enrique has pledged to construct a aggressive workforce in a bid to problem for the Champions League title.

Out of contract with Inter Milan, the powerfully-built Skriniar — a Slovak worldwide — had been in talks with PSG for months after the French champions failed to succeed in a monetary settlement with the Serie A aspect for him final 12 months.

The 28-year-old Skriniar joined Sampdoria in 2016 and have become the youngest defender to play not less than 35 video games in Serie A, PSG mentioned. He then moved to Inter Milan and performed 246 matches with 10 objectives in 5 seasons.

“There’s at all times stress once you be part of a membership like Paris Saint-Germain,” Skriniar mentioned. “I really feel it a bit, however I really feel I’m prepared, able to be a part of this actually large membership. However I really like stress. I’m a defender, so we all know what it’s all about.”

Skriniar gained the Italian league title with Inter in 2021, in addition to two Italian Cups. He has performed 60 video games with Slovakia, scoring three objectives.

Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka goes to Bundesliga

Bayer Leverkusen have introduced Switzerland midfielder Granit Xhaka again to the Bundesliga from English Premier League aspect Arsenal.

The 30-year-old Xhaka signed a contract by June 2028, Leverkusen mentioned on Thursday.

“In Granit we had been capable of win an absolute prime skilled for ourselves,” Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes mentioned. “His footballing high quality is thought in every single place. However there are few gamers who can lead so properly due to an impressive mentality and persona.”

Neither Leverkusen nor Arsenal divulged the switch payment. On-line sports activities web site The Athletic reported it was 25 million euros ($27.1 million) “though sources near Leverkusen are insisting the payment is decrease.”

Xhaka performed 268 video games for Arsenal since becoming a member of the London-based membership in 2016 from Borussia Mönchengladbach. He helped the workforce to second place within the league final season with seven objectives in 37 video games. He scored 21 altogether for Arsenal.

Actual Madrid signal Guler

Actual Madrid on Thursday reached a deal to signal Arda Guler, including one other younger participant to their midfield.

The 18-year-old Turkey worldwide arrives from Fenerbahce on a six-year contract. He can be formally launched by Madrid on Friday.

Spanish media mentioned the proficient teen arrives on a switch payment of 20 million euros ($21.7 million), with add-ons that would attain 30 million euros ($31.6 million).

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Saudi membership Al-Nassr hires Portuguese coach Luís Castro

Cristiano Ronaldo obtained a brand new membership coach on Thursday when Al-Nassr introduced they employed his fellow Portuguese Luís Castro.

The Saudi Arabian membership confirmed the appointment from a preseason coaching camp in Portugal. The size of the coach’s contract was not disclosed.

Castro is the most recent teaching rent this week within the cash-rich Saudi Professional League, following Jorge Jesus at Al-Hilal and Steven Gerrard at Al-Ettifaq.

The 61-year-old Portuguese is finest recognized for his two seasons in Ukraine with Shakhtar Donetsk together with house and away wins over Actual Madrid within the group stage of the 2020-21 Champions League. He spent final season in Brazil with Botafogo.

Al-Nassr was coached final season by Frenchman Rudi Garcia then Dinko Jelicic of Croatia as an interim rent.