Chelsea confirm defender Andreas Christensen's summer exit

By Selcuk Bugra Gokalp

ANKARA (AA) – Chelsea on Friday confirmed that Danish defender Andreas Christensen will leave the club when his contract expires later this month.

English midfielder Danny Drinkwater, Belgian midfielder Charly Musonda and English defender Jake Clarke-Salter have also been released.

After spending a decade at Stamford Bridge, Christensen, 26, is widely expected to join Barcelona.

His exit follows German defender Antonio Rudiger’s move to Real Madrid.

Christensen joined Chelsea in 2012 from Danish side Brondby, playing 161 games and winning the Champions League, Europa League, FA Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup.

He also had a loan spell with German club Borussia Monchengladbach in 2015-2017.

“Chelsea Football Club thanks Andreas for his contribution to our success in the last decade and wishes him well in his future career,” read a club statement.

Christensen has 55 international caps for Denmark. He played a key role in the country’s exceptional run at Euro 2020, which ended with an extra-time defeat to England in the semifinals.