Arsenal have secured the signing of Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea in a deal valued at £5 million ($6.9 million), according to sources close to the club.
Kepa, 30 years old, becomes a key player for coach Mikel Arteta, who was looking to reinforce the position of substitute goalkeeper for David Raya.
The Spanish goalkeeper arrives at the London club after having spent the last two seasons on loan at Real Madrid and AFC Bournemouth, respectively.
Arsenal also showed interest in Joan García, from Espanyol, but the 24-year-old player finally joined Barcelona.
I am very, very happy to be here, very excited and looking forward to what’s coming.
Kepa Arrizabalaga
The ambition shown in this club, when I speak with Mikel [Arteta] and Inaki [Cana], how much they demonstrate their desire to win… I think we are very close to winning and, hopefully, together, we can achieve it.
Kepa Arrizabalaga
We are very happy to have Kepa with us. He is a player we know, as we have faced him many times in recent seasons. He brings a lot of experience, which his teammates will benefit from, and he has a great hunger to win.
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal coach
Kepa arrived at Chelsea from Athletic Club in 2018 with a seven-year contract in an €80 million ($93 million) deal, which made him the most expensive goalkeeper in the world at that time. The goalkeeper, who won the Champions League, the Europa League, the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup during his time at Stamford Bridge, said goodbye to Chelsea fans in an Instagram post.The message said: “Thank you Chelsea. After seven unforgettable years, the time has come to close a very special chapter in my life. Chelsea was my home, my family, and the place where I grew as a footballer and as a person.”Kepa works hard and will raise our levels. I know he will fit in perfectly, he already knows some of his teammates, and we are very excited about his future with us.
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal coach
