Defender’s previous deal was due to expire this summer
Antonio Rudiger has signed a contract extension at Real Madrid that will keep him at the club until 2027.
The Germany international’s previous deal had been due to expire this summer, but Madrid have moved to retain the 33-year-old for another season. Rudiger is considered a key figure in central defence and the dressing room and will be a valuable player under new coach Jose Mourinho.
Since joining on a free transfer from Chelsea in 2022, Rudiger has made 182 appearances and helped the club win eight trophies, including the 2024 La Liga title and Champions League.
Madrid have been restructuring their squad after finishing back-to-back seasons without silverware. Mourinho has returned for a second spell as head coach following the departure of Alvaro Arbeloa, and the club have already strengthened the squad with the signings of Marc Cucurella from Chelsea and Ibrahima Konate and Bernardo Silva as free agents after leaving Liverpool and Manchester City respectively. Further arrivals are expected before the transfer window closes.
Retaining Rudiger was important not just because of his ability or his leadership role but also to maintain some continuity in a period of change.
Rudiger began his career at Stuttgart before spells with Roma and Chelsea, where he won the Champions League in 2021.
