Real Madrid have announced have signed Chelsea defender, Marc Cucurella, for £51.8m on a six-year deal.
The 27-year-old is currently with Spain at the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, but an agreement, worth £47.5m with a further £4.3m in add-ons, was struck on Sunday before the formal announcement on Monday.
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The club made the announcement on its website, stating, “Real Madrid C. F. and Chelsea FC have reached an agreement for the transfer of the player Marc Cucurella, who will be linked to our club for the next six seasons, until June 30, 2032.”
Cucurella, who joined Chelsea for £63m from Brighton in 2022, was understood to have been keen to return to Spain, having come through Barcelona’s academy. He had been linked with Atletico Madrid and a move back to Barcelona.
The Catalan also gave an interview during the March international break criticising Chelsea’s hierarchy following Enzo Maresca’s mid-season departure.
He was part of a core group of Spanish-speaking players who were frustrated by the situation and struggled to perform under Maresca’s successor, Liam Rosenior.
Cucurella had three years left on his contract, despite agreeing improved terms without an extension last season, which is likely to have played a part in Chelsea’s decision to accept the offer.
Rosenior was eventually sacked, with Chelsea finishing 10th and failing to qualify for Europe despite the temporary appointment of Calum McFarlane as caretaker manager.
Former Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen boss, Xabi Alonso, has since been appointed as the club’s permanent manager for the 2026-27 campaign.
