Real Madrid sign Cucurella from Chelsea

Real Madrid have signed defender Marc Cucurella from Chelsea on a six-year deal.

The fee is £47.5m plus £4.3m in add-ons, with the potential to rise to £51.8m in total.

Chelsea signed Cucurella from Brighton four years ago for £63m. The 27-year-old made 163 appearances for the club, winning the Conference League and Club World Cup.

Multiple clubs were interested in signing him but the former Barcelona full-back wanted to sign for Real Madrid. He had been linked with a return to Barca, as well as Atletico Madrid and Manchester City.

Cucurella is currently at the World Cup with Spain, who play their first Group H match against Cape Verde on Monday.

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Cucurella made public comments criticising Chelsea's transfer policy and the decision to let Enzo Maresca leave at the start of the year.

He was not considered one of Chelsea's "untouchable" players, which includes Cole Palmer and club captain Reece James.

Chelsea said: "Everyone at Chelsea FC would like to thank Marc for his efforts during his time at the club and for the role he played in our recent achievements.

"We wish him every success as he begins the next stage of his career."

It has already been a very busy summer for incoming Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho, who will officially start work at his new club next month. Deals for Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries and Bernardo Silva have been secured.

Netherlands defender Jorrel Hato, who joined from Ajax last summer for £37m, is now in contention to be Chelsea's first-choice left-back next season, although the club could also strengthen in that position.

Cucurella's move to Real Madrid is totally separate from any possible move for midfielder Enzo Fernandez to the same club. Fernandez said in an interview back in April that he would welcome living in Madrid.

Chelsea have very good relations with Real, but they would not let Fernandez leave for less than £120m. He arrived at Stamford Bridge from Benfica in 2023 for a fee of £106.8m.