Rudiger Leaves Chelsea Fans Heartbroken Following Emotional Farewell Message Ahead of Real Madrid Transfer

• Antonio Rudiger bids emotional farewell to Chelsea Football Club, having spent five years with the Stamford Bridge outfit
• The German international will be heading to Spain to join La Liga giants Real Madrid after sealing a transfer
• Rudiger, in an emotional farewell note, stated that Chelsea will remain in his heart as he met a number of players who are now his friends

Impressive Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger has penned an emotional farewell message to the Premier League club ahead of his move to Spanish club Real Madrid.

Having spent five years with the Stamford Bridge club, the 29-year-old who moved to England from the Italian side AS Roma in 2017 is poised to leave at the end of the season, Football.London reports.

Although he struggled in his first years at the London club, the centre-back became a ‘monster’ in the heart of the Chelsea defence under manager Thomas Tuchel helping them to win the Champions League.

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And while Chelsea were embroiled in a management crisis after Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by the UK government, Rudiger was in negotiations with Real Madrid and a deal was agreed with the Spanish giants.

Ahead of his departure, Rudiger wrote via Player's Tribune:

“I don’t like goodbyes. But I will try to make this one special, from the heart.

“The trophies that I have won here – they are nice, for sure. But what really made Chelsea a special place were the friendships. We were more than teammates.

“That’s very rare in football, honestly. And if there is one moment that sums everything up for me, it would be the scene in the toilets after we won the Champions League Final.

“Chelsea will always be in my heart. London will always be my home. I came here alone, and now I have a wife and two beautiful kids.

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“I also have a new brother for life named Kova. I have an FA Cup, a Europa League and a Champions League medal. And of course, I have hundreds of memories that will stay with me forever.”

Chelsea poised to finish 3rd in Premier League

Meanwhile, Sports Brief earlier reported that Leicester City held Chelsea to a 1-1 draw at the Stamford Bridge on Thursday night as the Blues confirm their third position in this season's English Premier League.

The Foxes stunned the entire stadium in the 6th minute after Maddison had put the visitors ahead to set up a tantalizing encounter.

Marcos Alonso however smashed the ball home to level the scores in the 34th minute as the Blues responded in spectacular fashion to seal third spot position.