SPAIN’S KEPA ARRIZABALAGA became the most expensive goalkeeper in history on Wednesday after Chelsea confirmed his €80 million (£71.6 million, $92 million) move from Athletic Bilbao.
Arrizabalaga’s arrival at Stamford Bridge came shortly after Chelsea had agreed to sell Belgian international ‘keeper Thibaut Courtois to Real Madrid for a reported fee of €35 million.
The 23-year-old has signed a seven-year contract with the English giants.
“It’s a very important decision for me, for my career, and also for my personal life,” Kepa told Chelsea’s website.
“So many things attracted me to the club, all the titles the club has won, the other players, the city, the English Premier League. It’s an accumulation of things, and I am very glad Chelsea has decided to trust me and to take me in as well.”
It's time...
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 8, 2018
Welcome to Chelsea, @kepa_46! 🙌#WelcomeKepa https://t.co/X0uSlQKUpP
Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia added: “Kepa is a talent we have admired for a long time and we are extremely excited about his arrival.
“He has already demonstrated fantastic quality and consistency and will be a big part of any success Chelsea have in the coming years.
“His long-term contract reflects the belief we have in him and we look ahead to the coming seasons with an enormous sense of optimism.”
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