Arsenal FC on Tuesday confirmed reaching a deal with Chelsea FC for the signing of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The Gunners met the Spaniard’s £5 million release clause in his contract with the Blues and are understood to be impressed by his desire to join and fight for his place in the team.
Kepa, who joined Chelsea from his boyhood club Athletic Bilbao for £71 million in 2018, signed a three-year deal at the Emirates.
He spent the 2023/24 season on loan at Real Madrid. He returned to the Stamford Bridge to sign a new contract that saw him take a pay cut with £5m release clause then moved to Bournemouth on a season-long loan last season.
He will serve as backup goalkeeper for his international teammate David Raya after Neto returned to his parent club Bournemouth following his loan spell at the Emirates.
“I’m really happy to be here, really excited and looking forward to what is coming,” he said.
“The ambition that is shown in this club, when I talk with [head coach] Mikel [Arteta] and [goalkeeper coach] Inaki [Cana], how much they show me their desire to win… I think we are so close to winning and hopefully altogether we can achieve it.”
Arteta expressed excitement to have Kepa in his squad.
“He is a player we know, having come up against him many times in recent seasons,” Arteta said. “He brings a wealth of experience, which his team-mates will benefit from, and he has a real hunger to win.
“Kepa works hard and will elevate our levels. I know he will fit in perfectly, already knowing some of his team-mates, and we are really excited about his future with us.”
