Real Madrid have signed Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga on loan until the end of the season.
The 28-year-old Spain international moved to the Blues from Athletic Bilbao in August 2018 for £71.6 million. He is under contract at the Bernabeu until June 2019.
Real Madrid was looking for a new custodian after Thibaut Courtois hurt his ACL in training on Thursday. He is likely to miss most of the season because of this injury.
A statement on Real’s official website said: “Real Madrid CF and Chelsea FC have agreed on the loan of the player Kepa Arrizabalaga, who is linked to the club this season, until June 30, 2024.
“In his five seasons at Chelsea, he has won one Champions League, one Club World Cup, one European Super Cup and one Europa League.
“This year, he has received the award for the best save in the Premier League for the 2022/2023 season.
“Kepa is an international with the Spanish team, with which he has been proclaimed champion of the 2023 Nations League. With Spain, he also won the U19 European Championship in 2012.”
👋 @kepa_46 👋#WelcomeKepa pic.twitter.com/LXzBjM5Tr4
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) August 14, 2023
On Tuesday afternoon, Kepa will be officially introduced as a Real Madrid player.
After his 25-year-old countryman Robert Sanchez arrived at Stamford Bridge, he went back to Spain.
Sanchez joined Arsenal from Brighton for £25 million earlier this month. He started Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool at home, while youngster Lucas Bergstrom sat on the bench.
Kepa has played for Chelsea 163 times and was given the captaincy last year.
But under new coach Mauricio Pochettino, he is no longer needed. He will now work for a season under former Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti.
