Chelsea
goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has joined Real Madrid on a season-long loan
deal.
The 28-year-old Spain international, who joined the Blues in a £71.6m switch
from Athletic Bilbao in August 2018, is contracted at the Bernabeu until
June next year.
Real Madrid were looking for a new goalkeeper after Thibaut Courtois
suffered an ACL injury in training on Thursday which is expected to keep him
out for most of the season.
A statement on Real's official website said: "Real Madrid CF and Chelsea FC
have agreed on the loan of the player Kepa Arrizabalaga, who is linked to
the club this season, until June 30, 2024.
"In his five seasons at Chelsea, he has won one Champions League, one Club
World Cup, one European Super Cup and one Europa League.
"This year, he has received the award for the best save in the Premier
League for the 2022/2023 season.
"Kepa is an international with the Spanish team, with which he has been
proclaimed champion of the 2023 Nations League. With Spain, he also won the
U19 European Championship in 2012."
Kepa will be formally presented as a Real Madrid player on Tuesday
afternoon.
His return to Spain follows the arrival of 25-year-old compatriot Robert
Sanchez at Stamford Bridge.
Sanchez made a £25m switch from Brighton earlier this month and started
Sunday's 1-1 home draw with Liverpool as youngster Lucas Bergstrom provided
the back-up on the bench.
Kepa has 163 Chelsea appearances under his belt and was handed the captaincy
last season.
However, he has become surplus to requirements under new boss Mauricio
Pochettino and will now work for a season under former Chelsea head coach
Carlo Ancelotti.
"The club wish him well for the season ahead in Madrid, where he will work
with former Chelsea head coach Carlo Ancelotti," Chelsea said in a
statement.
Real Madrid play their second La Liga game on Saturday, against Almeria,
where Kepa could make his debut.
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