Chelsea FC signed a £34 million, five-year deal with Roma’s defender Antonio Rudiger, who will play centre-back or right-back on the Premier League team next season.
Beefing up the defense
The Premier League champions have confirmed their signing with Antonio Rudiger from Roma on Sunday.
Chelsea FC signed a five-year deal with the German defender from AS Roma.
Antonio Rudiger, 24, is the second addition to Antonio Conte’s side after the acquisition of goalkeeper, Willy Caballero, was released by Manchester City.
Chelsea FC technical director Michael Emenalo said that while Antonio Rudiger is young, he is “experienced at club and international level” and has all of the “requisite attributes” to succeed in the Premier League.
Emenalo added that the champion Premier League team has had their eye on the 24-year-old player for some time now and are fully “confident” that he will fit in with the rest of the Chelsea team.
Chelsea FC had actually been rumored to have been looking at Rudiger last summer but he tore the cruciate ligaments in his right knee before training, ESPNFC reported.
Rudiger told Chelsea’s official website that becoming a part of this elite team was a “great feeling” because “not every player has the opportunity to join a huge club” like Chelsea FC.
It’s official! Welcome to Chelsea, @ToniRuediger ! #WelcomeRudi https://t.co/AgtH7QzFde
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 9, 2017
Antonio’s arrival to the team will bring defensive reinforcement to Antonio Conte’s team after Nathan Ake joined Bournemouth and John Terry was released at the end of his contract last season.
“I am looking forward to meeting up with my new teammates and I’m very proud to officially become a Chelsea player.”
Who else can Chelsea fans expect to see acquired this summer?
Chelsea kicked off their summer recruitment with Cabellero, but also suffered a setback after Machester United beat them to signing Romelu Lukaku from Everton for £75 million at the beginning of July.
Lukaku was Chelsea’s plan for a replacement for Diego Costa, who is likely to be sold to Atletico Madrid. It’s being reported that Alvaro Morata and Andrea Belotti are high on Conte’s list.
Let’s get to know @ToniRuediger a little better… #WelcomeRudi pic.twitter.com/YzBV9gX1Qz
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 9, 2017
Another deal with midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko from Monaco for £35 million is expected to be confirmed by Chelsea in a few days, while there are also rumors of a possible signing with Juventus’ Alex Sandro for £61 million.
. @ToniRuediger on his qualities as a player, a phone call with Antonio Conte and his ambitions for the new season… https://t.co/N9cOtf6gTF
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 9, 2017
What do you think about the latest Chelsea acquisition of Roma defender Antonio Rudiger? Let us know in the comments section below.
[Featured Image by Michael Regan/ Stringer/ Getty Images]
