Kepa Arrizabalaga: Chelsea signs goalkeeper for record $91M | CNN

Kepa Arrizabalaga joins Chelsea as English Premier League clubs scramble to finalize squads

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Updated 9:26 AM EDT, Thu August 9, 2018
Twenty days after Liverpool paid a world record fee for a goalkeeper, Chelsea eclipsed that mark by signing 23-year-old Kepa Arrizabalaga from Athletic Bilbao for $91 million. The fee is also a club record, surpassing the $75 million the London club spent on striker Alvaro Morata last summer.
Twenty days after Liverpool paid a world record fee for a goalkeeper, Chelsea eclipsed that mark by signing 23-year-old Kepa Arrizabalaga from Athletic Bilbao for $91 million. The fee is also a club record, surpassing the $75 million the London club spent on striker Alvaro Morata last summer.
Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
After nine years at Real Madrid, where he won two La Liga titles and the Champions League four times, Cristiano Ronaldo left Spain for Italy this summer in a $117 million deal to Juventus.
After nine years at Real Madrid, where he won two La Liga titles and the Champions League four times, Cristiano Ronaldo left Spain for Italy this summer in a $117 million deal to Juventus.
MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
You wait 17 years for a world record then two come along almost at once ... Gianluigi Buffon was the world's most expensive footballer for 17 years before Liverpool paid a then record $68 million for Brazil No.1 Alisson in July. Alisson's tenure as the world's priciest keeper was short lived however thanks to Chelsea's purchase of Kepa.
You wait 17 years for a world record then two come along almost at once ... Gianluigi Buffon was the world's most expensive footballer for 17 years before Liverpool paid a then record $68 million for Brazil No.1 Alisson in July. Alisson's tenure as the world's priciest keeper was short lived however thanks to Chelsea's purchase of Kepa.
Charles McQuillan/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has predicted a "difficult season" for his team after a relatively quiet transfer window. But United have made one prominent purchase, bringing in Brazilian midfielder Fred for $60 million.
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has predicted a "difficult season" for his team after a relatively quiet transfer window. But United have made one prominent purchase, bringing in Brazilian midfielder Fred for $60 million.
CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Liverpool had to wait 12 months for a glimpse of Naby Keita in the famous red kit but, on pre-season form at least, the dynamic midfielder seems to have been worth the wait. Signed for a then club record $61 million in 2017, the deal for the Guinea international was not finalized until this summer as Liverpool had agreed the midfielder could play a further season at RB Leipzing.
Liverpool had to wait 12 months for a glimpse of Naby Keita in the famous red kit but, on pre-season form at least, the dynamic midfielder seems to have been worth the wait. Signed for a then club record $61 million in 2017, the deal for the Guinea international was not finalized until this summer as Liverpool had agreed the midfielder could play a further season at RB Leipzing.
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One of the most controversial transfers of the summer. Malcom seemed on course to join AS Roma from Bordeaux but the Italian club was gazumped by Barcelona as the La Liga side sealed a $49 million deal for the Brazilian. Roma said it was considering legal action.
One of the most controversial transfers of the summer. Malcom seemed on course to join AS Roma from Bordeaux but the Italian club was gazumped by Barcelona as the La Liga side sealed a $49 million deal for the Brazilian. Roma said it was considering legal action.
LLUIS GENE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal joined Barca from Bayern Munich on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee. "I've come here to bring a lot of energy on to the pitch. Joining Barca is a step up for me," said the 31-year-old.
Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal joined Barca from Bayern Munich on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee. "I've come here to bring a lot of energy on to the pitch. Joining Barca is a step up for me," said the 31-year-old.
JOSEP LAGO/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Thomas Lemar joined compatriots Antoine Griezmann and Lucas Hernandez at Atletico Madrid after the 22-year-old Frenchman agreed to join the Spanish club from Monaco for $67.8 million. "I'm very happy with the decision I made," said the winger.
Thomas Lemar joined compatriots Antoine Griezmann and Lucas Hernandez at Atletico Madrid after the 22-year-old Frenchman agreed to join the Spanish club from Monaco for $67.8 million. "I'm very happy with the decision I made," said the winger.
JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Justin Kluivert signed a long-term deal with AS Roma worth an initial $19.5 million. The 19-year-old Dutch winger left Ajax Amsterdam for a five-year contract lasting until June 30, 2023.
Justin Kluivert signed a long-term deal with AS Roma worth an initial $19.5 million. The 19-year-old Dutch winger left Ajax Amsterdam for a five-year contract lasting until June 30, 2023.
Paolo Bruno/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Riyad Mahrez moved from the 2016 English Premier League champions Leicester City to the reigning title holders when he joined Manchester City on a five-year deal for $77 million.
Riyad Mahrez moved from the 2016 English Premier League champions Leicester City to the reigning title holders when he joined Manchester City on a five-year deal for $77 million.
IAN KINGTON/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic, 24, has joined Chelsea on a one-year loan deal from Real Madrid. "It is a privilege and an amazing feeling to be part of this club and I can't wait to start with trainings and matches," tweeted Kovacic.
Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic, 24, has joined Chelsea on a one-year loan deal from Real Madrid. "It is a privilege and an amazing feeling to be part of this club and I can't wait to start with trainings and matches," tweeted Kovacic.
Matthias Hangst/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
After four years and two Premier League titles with Chelsea, Belgian keeper Thibaut Courtois is off to Real Madrid on a six-year contract. Here he stands with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez during his presentation.
After four years and two Premier League titles with Chelsea, Belgian keeper Thibaut Courtois is off to Real Madrid on a six-year contract. Here he stands with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez during his presentation.
JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The signings of the summer

Story highlights

Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga joins Chelsea for record £71.6M ($91M)

Chelsea also signs midfielder Mateo Kovacic on loan from Real Madrid

CNN  — 

English Premier League clubs were scrambling Thursday to finalize their squads for the new season.

The deadline for transfers to English top flight clubs ends at 5 p.m. BST (12 p.m. EST) Thursday, with the 2018/2019 season starting on Friday.

In the rest of Europe the transfer window closes on August 31. Premier League clubs can still sell and loan players to other sides during this time. The transfer window reopens in January 1, 2019.

In a world-record transfer fee for a goalkeeper, Chelsea signed Kepa Arrizabalaga for £71.6 million ($91 million) from Spain’s Athletic Bilbao.

The 23-year-old arrives at Stamford Bridge on a seven-year deal to replace Thibaut Courtois, who is set to join Real Madrid.

Chelsea has also signed Croatia midfielder Mateo Kovacic, 24, on loan from Real Madrid for the upcoming season.

The Kepa transfer surpasses the $68 million Liverpool paid for Alisson in July and the $75 million Chelsea spent on striker Alvaro Morata last summer.

“It’s a very important decision for me, for my career, and also for my personal life,” said Kepa in a statement on the Chelsea 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.”

READ: How to keep a multimillion dollar player happy

Kepa, who won his sole Spain cap last November, played 30 times for Athletic Bilbao last season, keeping seven clean sheets.

The Spanish No.2 will train with Chelsea Thursday in preparation for a potential Premier League debut against Huddersfield Saturday.

“Kepa is a talent we have admired for a long time and we are extremely excited about his arrival,” added Marina Granovskaia, director of Chelsea FC.

“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.”

Kepa Arrizabalaga (left) and David de Gea of Spain warm up for a friendly with Switzerland in June.
Kepa Arrizabalaga (left) and David de Gea of Spain warm up for a friendly with Switzerland in June.
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Kovacic, who played five games during Croatia’s run to the World Cup final this summer, said of his arrival at Chelsea: “I am really happy and excited to be here at Chelsea. It is an amazing feeling.

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“I will try to do my best for this club. It is a new league for me, the beginning is always tough but I am sure the coach and my new team mates will help me and I am looking forward to a great season.”

Meanwhile leading football agent Jon Smith believes the Premier League “jumped the gun” by closing its transfer window earlier than other European leagues.

“We tested the water with both feet and I think we are drowning a little bit,” Smith told CNN Sport’s Amanda Davies.

“If Juventus wanted to push the envelope they have got three or four hours to figure out the replacement, whereas Barcelona could wait around for the next three weeks and make their minds up.

“The emphasis and the swing of power – if you like – in the trading window has now swung to Europe this year.”