Atletico Madrid are set to extend Cesar Azpilicueta’s contract until 2025.
The 34-year-old defender joined the club from Chelsea last summer on an initial one-year deal with the option of a second year.
As yet nothing has been signed, but the club have communicated to Azpilicueta their intention to extend his deal.
Azpilicueta has made 22 appearances in all competitions this season but has been sidelined since January with a torn meniscus.
The Spain international had been a first-team regular for Atletico and was close to automatically triggering the option of a further year because of the number of appearances he had made.
Atletico chief executive officer (CEO) Miguel Angel Gil informed Azpilicueta of the club’s decision to extend his deal following his injury.
Chelsea sanctioned Azpilicueta’s exit last summer a year before his contract was due to expire as part of an agreement between the parties. The west London club were willing to allow his departure as recognition of his 11 years of service, in which time he won every available club competition.
The defender came close to a transfer back to his homeland in the summer of 2022 after holding talks to join Barcelona but was persuaded to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge by the club’s new owners. He then signed a two-year extension with Chelsea.
Atletico Madrid sit fourth in La Liga and return to action on Saturday against Cadiz. They have also progressed to the Champions League knockout stages but must overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit against Inter Milan during next Wednesday’s home leg.
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