Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger has visited patients and staff of a local hospital ahead of his summer exit from the club. The Germany international was a regular visitor and supporter of the hospital during his time in West London.
The 29-year-old has spent five-years with the Blues, joining from AS Roma in 2017 for roughly £30million. While the early half of his career at Stamford Bridge was a struggle, he flourished under Thomas Tuchel.
Playing in a back three, the centre-back could be aggressive in the press, with adequate cover behind him. Rudiger was one of a number of key players in the system that saw the side roar on towards an unlikely Champions League victory.
READ MORE: Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: Tchouameni 'snub', Man United fire-sale, Kimpembe bid
However, the situation surrounding his deal, which expires at the end of the season, wasn’t resolved in time. While sanctions placed on current owner Roman Abramovich stopped any contract talks going through, the defender insisted it wasn’t the main reason.
"There was a chance but sanctions are not the problem," Rudiger said after the FA Cup final defeat to Liverpool. "I don't want to go too deep in things.
"At the end of the day it's not only about one side (helping the other), it's both sides - Chelsea have been great to me, I have been great to Chelsea. As always, I am very, very thankful me, my family. I became a man here. My kids were born here and everything. London and especially Chelsea will always be special to me."
Amid exit talks, the feeling has always been surrounding a respectful parting of ways between the club and the player. And that was only emphasised on Thursday, when Rudiger was pictured saying farewell to patients and staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.
The defender was a regular visitor and a supporter of the club’s charitable arm CW+, giving out gifts and autographs as well as posing for pictures. It shows just how classy the exit is from the outgoing defender.
