Antonio Rudiger throws support behind Sierra Leone for AFCON

Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger has pledged his support behind the Sierra Leone football team for this year's Africa Cup of Nations.

The German, who is out of contract at Stamford Bridge in the summer, is involved in the BigShoe organisation in the country which has helped children with club feet get operations to remedy the problem.

Rudiger's family are also from Sierra Leone and his mother Lily was forced to flee the country in 1991 when the civil war began.

She subsequently settled in Germany where she gave birth to Rudiger hence why he represents Germany at an international level.

His work with BigShoe has also seen him send a Chelsea shirt with his name and number on the back be sent to each and every child the project has helped so far and there is no intentions of it stopping anytime soon.

"I am very connected to my second home," Rudiger said to Goal, "We have more projects planned.

"My first visit to Sierra Leone five years ago taught me above all that everything that we supposedly call a 'problem' here in Europe is not really a problem at all."

Interest from Real Madrid

Rudiger is one of the most coveted defenders in Europe right now as his contract with Chelsea expires in June 2022, and he is free to discuss terms with other clubs on the continent.

The Blues are not willing to meet the German's wage demands and it looks like he will leave Stamford Bridge on a free transfer in the summer with Real Madrid maintaining a keen interest in the player.