Audio By Carbonatix
Real Madrid and Chelsea have reached an agreement for goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga's season-long loan to the Spanish club, the clubs announced on Monday.
The 28-year-old Arrizabalaga will arrive as a temporary replacement for Thibaut Courtois, who will be sidelined for several months after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee during a training session last Thursday.
Arrizabalaga joined Chelsea from Athletic Bilbao in 2018 for a record 80 million euros fee for a goalkeeper but fell out of favour in the London club, who signed goalkeeper Robert Sanchez from Brighton & Hove Albion this summer.
He has reportedly been targeted by Bayern Munich as the German side are seeking to replace their own injured goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer, but Real Madrid moved faster to secure the deal.
Courtois' injury is a major blow for Real as they will have to make do without the services of one of their key players for the foreseeable future.
Courtois joined Real from Chelsea in 2018 after winning two Premier League titles, the FA Cup and the League Cup during his time at Stamford Bridge.
He was named Player-of-the-Match following the 2022 Champions League final after producing one of the greatest goalkeeping performances in a European Cup final.
Courtois recorded nine saves to deny Liverpool in Paris, leading his club to a record-extending 14th European title after a 1-0 win.
Real Madrid had only one other goalkeeper in their first-team squad, Ukraine's Andriy Lunin.
The 24-year-old Lunin has made only nine Spanish league appearances for the club since signing from Zorya Luhansk in 2018. He spent his first two seasons in Spain on loan spells with Leganes, Valladolid and Oviedo.
Latest Stories
-
Ghana is tackling cybercrime head-on, not becoming a hub for it – CSA
28 seconds -
We’ll deliver without fear or favour – New EC Deputy Chairpersons assure Mahama
58 seconds -
Six Ukrainian energy sites hit by Russia since Trump announced ceasefire, Zelensky says
20 minutes -
Government directs GTEC to prepare public universities for weekend reopening as it intensifies efforts to end GAUA strike
20 minutes -
Multimedia Group’s Raymond Nii Doodo Larbie called to the Ghana Bar, seeks to combine HR practice with law
23 minutes -
Credible elections are the cornerstone of democracy – New Deputy EC Chairperson
26 minutes -
Mahama charges new EC deputies to put national interest above political loyalties
31 minutes -
Mahama urges EC to strengthen electoral technology, inclusion and professionalism
32 minutes -
Fridges in French supermarkets hit by cyber attack
32 minutes -
Evangelism or collection in God’s name? The plight of Ghana’s captive passengers
36 minutes -
‘I don’t expect preferential treatment for me, my party or gov’t’ – Mahama to new EC deputies
52 minutes -
Mahama tasks new EC Deputy Chairpersons to protect electoral integrity
53 minutes -
Police arrest officer after shooting injures 2 at Ritz Junction
54 minutes -
‘Delete, retract, apologise’ – Agyinasare urges Ghanaians to take responsibility for misinformation
54 minutes -
Saudi minister vows ‘serious response’ to Houthi attacks on airports
1 hour