Chelsea mortgage goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga to Actual Madrid

Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has accomplished a season-long mortgage transfer to Actual Madrid.

The 28-year-old Spain worldwide, who joined the Blues in a £71.6million swap from Athletic Bilbao in August 2018, is contracted on the Bernabeu till June subsequent yr.

Actual wanted a brand new keeper after Thibaut Courtois was dominated out for almost all of the season with an ACL harm.

A press release on Actual’s official web site stated: “Actual Madrid CF and Chelsea FC have agreed on the mortgage of the participant Kepa Arrizabalaga, who’s linked to the membership this season, till June 30, 2024.

#WelcomeKepa pic.twitter.com/7KjfBWb9Ke

— Actual Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) August 14, 2023

“In his 5 seasons at Chelsea, he has gained one Champions League, one Membership World Cup, one European Tremendous Cup and one Europa League.

“This yr, he has acquired the award for one of the best save within the Premier League for the 2022-2023 season.

“Kepa is a global with the Spanish workforce, with which he has been proclaimed champion of the 2023 Nations League. With Spain, he additionally gained the U19 European Championship in 2012.”

Kepa shall be formally offered as a Actual Madrid participant on Tuesday afternoon.

His return to Spain follows the arrival of 25-year-old compatriot Robert Sanchez at Stamford Bridge.

Sanchez made a £25million swap from Brighton earlier this month and began Sunday’s 1-1 dwelling draw with Liverpool as teen Lucas Bergstrom supplied the back-up on the bench.

Kepa has 163 Chelsea appearances below his belt and was handed the captaincy final season.

Nonetheless, he has change into surplus to necessities below new boss Mauricio Pochettino and can now work for a season below former Chelsea head coach Carlo Ancelotti.

A press release on the membership’s official web site stated: “Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has accomplished a season-long mortgage transfer to LaLiga facet Actual Madrid.

“The membership want him effectively for the season forward in Madrid, the place he’ll work with former Chelsea head coach Carlo Ancelotti.”