Antonio Rudiger to join Real Madrid on a free transfer from Chelsea

German defender's contract expires in the summer when he will join La Liga club

Chelsea's Antonio Rudiger will join Real Madrid in the summer. Reuters

Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger will join Real Madrid following the expiry of his contract this summer.

Rudiger will officially join the Spanish champions on a free transfer on July 1, having signed a four-year deal and passed a medical.

The 29-year-old will earn £340,000-a-week at Los Blancos, after rejecting the option to remain with Chelsea.

Several clubs were keen to secure the services of the Germany international, but Rudiger had his heart set on a move to Carlo Ancelotti’s side, after they were the first club to express an interest.

He was also linked with Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Juventus, and his agent had even previously held talks with Barcelona, according to various reports.

The sanctions on Roman Abramovich are believed to have made it difficult for the centre-back to remain at Stamford Bridge, with talks over extending his deal proving impossible.

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel previously expressed his disappointment, after revealing Rudiger would leave the club at the end of the season following the Blues’ 1-0 win over West Ham last month.

Chelsea 2 Wolves 2: player ratings

CHELSEA RATINGS: Edouard Mendy - 6, Kept his focus well to deny Pedro Neto and Hwang Hee-chan in either half, but there was nothing he could do about the late goals. AFP

Cesar Azpilicueta - 6, Made a vital intervention to stop Jonny getting a chance in the first half and made some good bursts forward in the second period. Was booked for catching Neto in the face with a stray arm. AFP

Thiago Silva - 5, There were times where he was too slow to react in his own box, and he didn’t do enough to stop Conor Coady getting the header for the equaliser. He did clean up when it appeared that Neto might get through. AP

Antonio Rudiger - 5, Didn’t do enough to stop Trincao cutting inside for Wolves’ first goal of the game. Should have been more clinical with his own attempt when Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s goal was disallowed for offside. Getty

Reece James - 6, Had often looked good defensively beforehand but didn’t do enough to stop Coady winning the header for the equaliser. His free kick attempt deceived Jose Sa but eventually went agonisingly wide. Reuters

Mateo Kovacic - 5, Was dispossessed in the middle then got in Rudiger’s way when Trincao scored Wolves’ first of the game. Had previously enjoyed various positive moments, including nice passes forward for Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku. PA

Ruben Loftus-Cheek - 7, Moved the ball around well and drove Chelsea up the pitch at times. There is little he could have realistically done to stop himself being offside for his disallowed goal. AFP

Marcos Alonso - 4, Many of his set-piece deliveries were poor, with an especially bad free kick going straight into the wall. He also struggled defensively at times. Getty

Christian Pulisic - 8, Was Chelsea’s most creative player throughout, sliding the ball through nicely for Timo Werner’s disallowed goal. He then capitalised on Coady’s mistake to assist Lukaku. PA

Romelu Lukaku - 9, Having been left frustrated in front of goal in the first half, the Belgian won and converted the penalty that opened the scoring after showing his determination to dispossess Romain Saiss. Getty

Timo Werner - 6, Showed plenty of endeavour and made intelligent runs but struggled with his end product at times. Was unlucky to have his goal disallowed for a foul on Saiss. AP

SUBS: Saul Niguez (Alonso, HT’) – 5, Did the basics well and drifted into some nice positions in the middle of the pitch. Reuters

Malang Sarr (Azpilicueta, 87’) – N/A, Didn’t get out quickly enough to stop Chiquinho’s cross, which assisted Coady’s equaliser. Getty

Kai Havertz (Lukaku, 91) – N/A, Could have made things more comfortable for Chelsea after working some space for himself in the box but struck wide. Getty

WOLVES RATINGS: Jose Sa - 6, Made some great saves to deny shots from Werner and Lukaku. However, there was nothing he could do about the quality finishes for either goal. Getty

Willy Boly - 6, Played a great pass to Ait Nouri for his chance before the break and showed intelligence in his defending at times. Getty

Conor Coady - 6, Made a good block to deny Lukaku. Made the mistake for Chelsea’s second by absolutely smashing a pass at Ruben Neves but redeemed himself with the late equaliser. EPA

Romain Saiss - 3, Looked suspect defensively and was booked for pulling back Pulisic. Was lucky to see Loftus-Cheek’s goal ruled out after losing the midfielder, then conceded a penalty after losing the ball. Was eventually taken off injured. PA

Jonny - 6, Got up and down the wing well but should have been more decisive to latch onto Raul Jimenez’s pass in the first half. PA

Joao Moutinho - 6, Was booked for an overzealous tackle on Loftus-Cheek but often looked good in the middle, playing some brilliant passes forward. Getty

Ruben Neves - 6, Hit a deflected shot wide and provided a good ball forward to Neto for his chance shortly before half time. Had no chance of controlling Coady’s pass for Chelsea’s second. PA

Leander Dendoncker - 6, Put in a good shift in the middle of the pitch but missed an absolute sitter shortly before half time. Getty

Rayan Ait Nouri - 7, Had some very bright moments and defended well for large periods. Missed the target after a great run forward and couldn’t find the target after cutting in. Getty

Pedro Neto - 7, Was a good out ball and did a lot of impressive work going forward despite often being isolated. Booked for pulling back James. Getty

Raul Jimenez - 6, Made a great run and pass to create a chance for Jonny and cleared well in his own box, but couldn’t get enough on his touch from Neves’ shot to find the target. Hit a late shot wide. PA

SUBS: Hwang Hee-chan (Neto, 70’) - 6, Had a chance moments after coming on but was denied well. Stayed down after being hit by a tackle from James but made a good contribution. EPA

Chiquinho (Saiss, 71’) – N/A. Helped drive the team forward for Wolves’ first goal, then did brilliantly to beat Pulisic to the ball when it appeared the American might break forward. Capped off a superb substitute appearance by setting up Coady for the goal. Getty

Francisco Trincao (Neves, 77’) – N/A. Hit a brilliant shot to give Wolves hope of getting back into the game, then had another effort that went marginally wide after some nice footwork. Getty

“The situation is that he wants to leave the club. He informed me of this in a private talk,” the German said.

“We gave everything – me and the club – but we could not fight any more because of the sanctions. Without the sanctions we would at least be able to carry on fighting, but our hands are tied. We don't take it personally. It is his decision.

“He is a key figure and will stay that way until the end of the season. But it is disappointing. We will miss him a lot.

“He gives courage in the dressing room – the kind everyone is afraid of, but the kind to play 50-55 games at an outstanding level. He is a top defender in the last one-and-a-half years for me. We then need to find another solution.”

Official confirmation of Rudiger’s move to the Santiago Bernabeu is expected after Real’s involvement in the Champions League final against Liverpool on May 28.