Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has joined Real Madrid on a season-long loan to replace the injured Thibaut Courtois, the two clubs announced on Monday.
โReal Madrid and Chelsea FC have agreed on the loan of player Kepa Arrizabalaga until June 30, 2024,โ the Spanish club said in a statement.
Belgian star Courtois, 31, will miss most of the season after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
Kepa, 28, had been close to a transfer to Bayern Munich, but will instead return to his native Spain.
Bayern board chairman Jan-Christian Dreesen had said on Sunday that the Bavarian club were thinking of presenting Kepa โtoday or tomorrow, but the offer from Real Madrid has arrived. Kepa is Spanish, thatโs normal that he accepts itโ.
๐ @kepa_46 ๐ #WelcomeKepa pic.twitter.com/yVcEqcRifj
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) August 14, 2023
The former Athletic Bilbao keeper came close to signing for Real in 2018 but instead joined Chelsea for ยฃ71 million ($90 million) and lifted the Europa League trophy in his first season.
The Spaniard was also involved in Chelseaโs Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA World Club Cup triumphs in 2021.
However, Kepa lost his Chelsea place to compatriot Robert Sanchez at the start of this term, with the summer signing from Brighton playing in Chelseaโs season-opening 1-1 draw against Liverpool on Sunday.
โThe club wish him well for the season ahead in Madrid, where he will work with former Chelsea head coach Carlo Ancelotti,โ the Blues said in a statement.
