28.
CESAR AZPILICUETA
Defender
Born: 28 August 1989, Pamplona,
Navarre
Height: 5' 10"
Weight: 154 lbs
Previous Clubs: Osasuna, Marseille
International: Spain
Signing Date: August 2012
Chelsea Appearances
Chelsea Goals Scored
The 22-year-old right-back, who represented Spain
at the London Olympics, arrived at Stamford Bridge following a two-year
spell in France's Ligue 1 with Marseille.
He began his career at the academy of his hometown
club, Osasuna.
Having started out as an attacking midfielder,
Azpilicueta is comfortable in possession with a good range of passing.
Having come through the ranks at Osasuna,
Azpilicueta was handed his La Liga debut on 8 April 2007 against Real
Madrid at the Bernabeu.
The following season, with Osasuna depleted by
injuries, the youngster featured regularly and cemented his place in the
team at right-back with a string of impressive displays, while the
2008/09 campaign saw him miss only two games.
In June 2010, Azpilicueta made the switch from
Spain to France, signing a four-year deal with Marseille.
The youngster, however, endured a difficult opening
to his career at the club suffering a knee injury which ruled him out
for his first season.
Following the disappointment of the previous
campaign, the 2011/12 season - with both the European Championships and
Olympics on the horizon - was always going to be a big one for the young
Spaniard.
He flourished, performing consistently well and
catching the eye as Marseille reached the Champions League
quarter-finals, eventually eliminated by beaten finalists Bayern Munich.
At international level, he has represented Spain
since earning a call-up to the Under 16s in 2005, and was part of the
Under 19 side which won the European Championships back in 2007, as well
as the Under 21s who tasted success in the same competition in 2011.
He joined fellow countrymen Juan Mata, Oriol Romeu
and Fernando Torres at the club.