Kepa Arrizabalaga has moved from Premier League powerhouse Chelsea to Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid on a season-long loan.
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Spanish international Kepa, 28, will remain at the Bernabeu until June of 2019 after moving from Athletic Bilbao to Chelsea for £71.6 million in 2018.
After Thibaut Courtois suffered an ACL injury in practice on Thursday, which is expected to keep him out for the majority of the season, Real Madrid sprang into action to recruit a replacement goalie.
The Spanish group wrote the following on its website: “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.”
On Tuesday in the late afternoon, Kepa will be formally introduced as a Real Madrid player.
Following the arrival of 25-year-old compatriot Robert Sanchez at Stamford Bridge, he left for Spain.
Following his £25 million transfer from Brighton, Sanchez began Sunday’s 1-1 home draw with Liverpool, with Lucas Bergstrom serving as the backup on the bench.
Kepa has made 163 appearances for Chelsea and was appointed captain last year.
He will now work for a season with former Chelsea head coach Carlo Ancelotti because he is no longer needed under new manager Mauricio Pochettino.
In a statement, Chelsea said: “The club wishes him well for the season ahead in Madrid, where he will work with former Chelsea head coach Carlo Ancelotti.”
On Saturday, Real Madrid plays their second La Liga game against Almeria, and Kepa might make his league debut.
Kepa Arrizabalaga: Who Is He?
Kepa Arrizabalaga Revuelta, a goalkeeper for Chelsea and the Spanish national team, was born in Spain on October 3, 1994.
At Athletic Bilbao in Spain, Kepa Arrizabalaga started his professional career as a goalkeeper. But prior to that, from 2011 to 2016, he played for Basconia before going on loan to Real Valladolid and Ponferradina.
Later, Kepa Arrizabalaga returned to Bilbao and began frequently playing for the first squad.
In 2018, he became the most expensive goalkeeper when he transferred to Chelsea for a fee of £72 million (€80 million).