Rudiger agrees Real Madrid deal ahead of Chelsea exit

Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger has reached an agreement with Real Madrid to join the Spanish champions on a free transfer in the summer.

Rudiger will officially join Real on July 1 on a four-year deal understood to be worth €400,000 (£342,000) per week.

The Germany international's Chelsea contract expires at the end of the season and Blues boss Thomas Tuchel revealed last month the defender had decided to reject a new deal at Stamford Bridge.

A number of clubs across Europe - including in the Premier League - were interested in Rudiger. However, Real were the first club to formally express an interest in signing him this summer, and the 29-year-old is thought to be flattered and impressed by Real's pursuit.

Rudiger's representatives held talks with Barcelona earlier this season, while he had also been linked with Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus.

John Terry, the former Chelsea captain, expressed his disappointment at Rudiger's impending exit last month. Replying to Sky Sports' Instagram post regarding the Germany international, Terry wrote: "How have we let this man go?"

Remaining at Chelsea was a possibility for Rudiger, but the sanctions placed on the club's owner Roman Abramovich made talks over extending his deal impossible.

The European champions - who are set to be taken over by Todd Boehly's consortium - have been unable to negotiate transfers or contract extensions since March.

Tuchel revealed Rudiger's decision to leave Chelsea after his side's win over West Ham last month. Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: "The situation is that he wants to leave the club. He informed me of this in a private talk.

"We gave everything - me and the club - but we could not fight anymore because of the