Published on 15.08.2023
The 28-year-old will cover for Thibaut Courtois
Real Madrid have signed Spain goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea on a season-long loan. The 28-year-old will cover for Madrid’s regular number one Thibaut Courtois, who will miss most of the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Kepa has made 163 appearances for Chelsea since joining from Athletic Bilbao for £71m in August 2018 – the highest fee ever paid for a goalkeeper.
He faced competition at the Blues from summer signing Robert Sanchez. Fellow Spaniard Sanchez, a £25m arrival from Brighton, started Sunday’s Premier League opener against Liverpool.
Chelsea sold Senegal international goalkeeper Edouard Mendy to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli earlier this summer.
Kepa’s exit leaves 31-year-old Marcus Bettinelli as the only other senior goalkeeper in their squad, alongside 20-year-old Lucas Bergstrom and 19-year-old Eddie Beach.
Real Madrid opened their campaign with a 2-0 win at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday, with England midfielder Jude Bellingham, an £88.5m summer arrival from Borussia Dortmund, among the scorers.
