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Chelsea agrees to transfer with Real Mardid for Alvaro Morata

By Alex Butler
Inter Milan's Hugo Campagnaro (L) kicks the ball free from the leg of former Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata. Morata joined Chelsea Wednesday via transfer. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI
Inter Milan's Hugo Campagnaro (L) kicks the ball free from the leg of former Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata. Morata joined Chelsea Wednesday via transfer. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo

July 20 (UPI) -- Striker Alvaro Morata joined Chelsea Wednesday after a transfer from La Liga power Real Madrid.

The move is subject to a physical and agreement on personal terms, according to the clubs. Morata, 24, scored 15 goals last season for Madrid and started 14 games.

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"Moratoski, all the luck in the world," Madrid captain Sergio Ramos tweeted Wednesday. "Enjoy your new stage and still getting goals as you do. You will be missed. @AlvaroMorata."

Morata said goodbye to his teammates from the UCLA campus as the team is currently on a preseason tour of the United States.

"Many thanks for everything," Morata said in a Real Madrid statement. It's been incredible to once again win trophies here. I hope, whenever they're not up against my team, that Madrid always win".

Madrid midfielder Isco also had some parting adoration for his former teammate.

"Brother, you're leaving now...I'm going to miss you so much. I just hope you are happy and find everything you deserve. I love you," Isco posted on social media.

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Morata scored 20 goals in all competitions last season for Madrid. Morata was born in Madrid and came up through the team's academy before making his first team debut in 2010. He joined Juventus in 2014, but reunited with Los Blancos in 2016.

"The club wishes to express its thanks for the dedication, professionalism and exemplary conduct displayed by the player over the years, spanning his time in our academy right through to his spell as a member of the first-team squad," Real Madrid said in a statement.

Chelsea is currently in Beijing with a squad including: Thibaut Courtois, Willy Caballero, Eduardo, Marcin Bulka, Cesar Azpilicueta, Gary Cahill, David Luiz, Andreas Christensen, Tomas Kalas, Jake Clarke-Salter, Fikayo Tomori, Marcos Alonso, Victor Moses, Cesc Fabregas, N'Golo Kante, Mario Pasalic, Lewis Baker, Kyle Scott, Pedro, Willian, Kenedy, Charly Musonda Jr, Jeremie Boga, Michy Batshuayi and Loic Remy.

Chelsea's next match is at 12:40 p.m. Saturday against Arsenal. The preseason match takes place at Beijing's Bird's Nest Stadium.

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