Germany international Antonio Rudiger opted to leave Premier League giants Chelsea for the best club in the world, Real Madrid, this summer.

The 29 year old defender was officially unveiled as a Madrid player on Monday morning after signing a four-year deal at the Bernabeu following the expiration of his Chelsea contract.

Rudiger has now revealed Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic encouraged him to dump Chelsea for Real Madrid.

Ruidger said Kovacic – who used to play for Real Madrid-  told him it was the ‘right step to do’ and insisted he would ‘enjoy himself’ playing alongside the likes of Luka Modric. 

Rudiger told Marca: “To be honest I didn’t speak to Toni Kroos too much about it here.

“I spoke more to Mateo Kovacic about Real Madrid and he told me quite a lot.

“And because of him speaking a lot with [Luka] Modric, and because of him, I spoke with him and he told me ‘You’re going to enjoy it here, it’s the right step to do.’

“I never heard anyone say anything bad about Madrid. I’m looking forward to starting.”

Rudiger will wear the No.22 shirt at Real Madrid which was recently vacated by Isco, who has left the club as a free agent.

Speaking at his unveiling, Rudiger told reporters: “It’s a very special day for all of us, but especially for me.

“I would like to thank my parents, because without them I could not be here. They have always supported me and that throughout my life has been very very important.

“I also want to thank the president of Real Madrid for giving me the opportunity to play for this great club.

“I can promise you that I will give everything for this club. I want to win as many titles as we can. Hala Madrid and nothing else!”

Rudiger will earn £315,000 a week at Real Madrid and his Real Madrid contract has a release clause of €400m (£342m).