Rudiger: Joining Real Madrid Makes Me Very Proud

Departing Chelsea defender Toni Rudiger is excited to be joining Real Madrid.

Rudiger will formally sign for Real on July 1 upon the expiry of his Chelsea contract.

He told Marca: "I'm very proud and I still don't realise what this all means, because I haven't even been to Madrid yet. I will go with all my family as soon as I finish with the German national team, and then I think I will finally realise what signing for Real Madrid means.

"I think that in football, as in life, everything is a chapter, and this is a new chapter for me. Obviously, this new chapter is a big one because it's a big step for me. It's probably the biggest of my whole career.

"The first time I heard from Madrid it was like, 'wow'. They first contacted me in September or October I think. A club like this doesn't call you many times so it was amazing."

Rudiger also spoke of his first conversation with Real coach Carlo Ancelotti.

He added: "It was a very welcoming conversation. He told me that everyone was very happy to have me at Madrid, and that makes me very happy. It's clear that Ancelotti is one of the people who make Real Madrid very strong, but he isn't the only one. There are Karim Benzema, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Casemiro... He told me they were all very happy and that makes me proud. It also makes me realise that I have done well these last three years, and that gives me motivation to do even better at Real Madrid."

Source: Tribalfootball