Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Spanish goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea for £5 million, bringing a dramatic end to his seven-year stint at Stamford Bridge. The 30-year-old has penned a three-year deal with the Gunners and is expected to compete with David Raya for the No.1 spot at the Emirates.
Kepa spent the 2023/2024 season on loan at Bournemouth, making 35 appearances and playing a key role in their best-ever Premier League finish. Prior to that, he had a loan stint at Real Madrid, and had also fallen down the pecking order at Chelsea following the emergence of other goalkeepers.
Despite once being the world’s most expensive goalkeeper when Chelsea signed him from Athletic Bilbao for £71.8 million in 2018, Kepa leaves the Blues for a fraction of that price after Arsenal triggered a £5 million release clause inserted in a contract renegotiated last summer. The clause was included when Kepa accepted a pay cut to facilitate his loan move to Bournemouth.
“I’m really happy to be here, really excited and looking forward to what is coming,” Kepa told Arsenal’s media team.
“The ambition that is shown in this club, when I talked with Mikel [Arteta] and Inaki [Cana, goalkeeping coach]—how much they show me their desire to win… I think we are so close to winning and hopefully altogether we can achieve it.”
The former Athletic Bilbao keeper brings vast experience to Arsenal’s goalkeeping unit, having made 140 Premier League appearances, and won top honours at club and international level. He is expected to provide serious competition for current first-choice goalkeeper David Raya. Arsenal’s Sporting Director Andrea Berta praised the acquisition, highlighting Kepa’s experience and winning mentality.
“We are really excited to have Kepa join our Arsenal family. He is a player with great experience, someone who has already won major trophies. We welcome him and his family and look forward to what he will bring to the group.”
Manager Mikel Arteta echoed the enthusiasm, calling Kepa a known quantity and a valuable asset.
“We are really happy to have Kepa joining us. He brings a wealth of experience, which his team-mates will benefit from, and he has a real hunger to win. He works hard and will elevate our levels. I know he will fit in perfectly.”
Kepa replaces Neto as Arsenal’s back-up goalkeeper after the Brazilian returned to Bournemouth. The Gunners are expected to continue strengthening this summer, with Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard also tipped to join.
