Published on August 14, UPI — Real Madrid has secured a loan deal for Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga, extending it for one season, to replace the injured Thibaut Courtois, football clubs announced this Monday.
Arrizabalaga’s contract will run until June 30. The seasoned goalkeeper had started 29 matches for The Blues last season but was absent from their season opener, a 1-1 draw against Liverpool on Sunday in London.
At 28 years old, Arrizabalaga tallied a total of 90 saves and kept 9 clean sheets last season. He even netted 33 goals during the 2022-23 season. Arrizabalaga joined Chelsea in 2018 and had stints at La Liga’s Sporting Club, Real Valladolid, Ponferradina, and Basconia.
In Arrizabalaga’s five-year tenure, Chelsea clinched titles such as the Champions League, Club World Cup, European Super League, and Europa League. He also earned 13 caps for Spain’s national team and was part of the Spanish squad in the 2018 World Cup.
Real Madrid made the announcement on Thursday that Courtois has been diagnosed with a torn ACL and is set to undergo surgery. The seasoned goalkeeper posted an image of his bandaged leg on Instagram on Friday, expressing his motivation to “recover as soon as possible.”
Madrid also revealed that Brazilian defender Eder Militao suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament and needs surgery. Manager Carlo Ancelotti shared on Instagram on Sunday that their absence will “further drive” the team to “fight harder” until the injured players return.
Madrid defeated Sporting Club 2-0 in their season opener on Saturday in Bilbao, Spain. They are set to face Almeria in another La Liga match at 1:30 PM EDT on Saturday in Almeria, Spain.
Chelsea is set to square off against West Ham in a Premier League match at 11:30 AM on Sunday in London. Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez will start for their season opener.
