FootyChatter.com

Kepa Arrizabalaga joined Chelsea for £71m in 2018 and is still the most expensive goalkeeper ever Arsenal have completed the £5m signing of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea. Spain international Kepa joins the Gunners on a three-year deal after spending last season on loan at Bournemouth, where he made 35 appearances. "I'm really, really happy to be here, really excited and looking forward to what is coming, " he said. "The ambition that is shown in this club, when I talk with Mikel [Arteta] and Inaki [Cana], 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 30-year-old is still the world's most expensive goalkeeper, having moved to the Blues in 2018 from boyhood club Athletic Bilbao for £71m. His arrival at Emirates Stadium will provide competition for compatriot David Raya. Neto was on loan at Arsenal from the Cherries during the 2024-25 campaign but they elected not to sign the Brazilian on a permanent basis. Kepa played 163 times for Chelsea and was in the squads that lifted the Champions League, Europa League and Club World Cup. He also spent a year on loan at Real Madrid and helped them win La Liga and the Champions League during the 2023-24 season. Kepa was a victim of his £71m price tag at Chelsea. He was deemed the best possible option when Thibaut Courtois forced his exit from the Blues in 2018 and Alisson turned down Chelsea to join Liverpool. Athletic Club then forced the Blues to pay Kepa's full release clause. After his wobble early in his Chelsea career, Kepa quickly proved he was not worth either the fee nor his previous £190, 000-a-week wages. However, he was still highly respected behind the scenes. He was rated as a top professional, a good squad member and a positive character - despite his strange episode in refusing to be substituted in the Carabao Cup final in 2019. Kepa has always been a good player but was never seen to be one who would command a world record transfer fee for a goalkeeper. Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Wimbledon: Krejcikova begins title defence, Sinner in action Arsenal sign goalkeeper Kepa from Chelsea for £5m Sweltering Switzerland - how hot is Euro 2025 going to be? Going inside real life couples therapy Investigating the rise of medical conspiracy theories A new comedy drama wrapped in a gripping family mystery Amazing young people across history Faith amid the fury - how Lion king Itoje keeps his peace Sweltering Switzerland - how hot is Euro 2025 going to be? Is it conceivable that Mercedes could drop Russell for Verstappen? Al-Hilal 'climb Everest' - but 'worrying signs' for Man City Meet the only English manager at the Euros 'All kinds of wizardry! ' - best shots from day one of Wimbledon. Video'All kinds of wizardry! ' - best shots from day one of Wimbledon 'Fifa should consider playing World Cup final at 9am' 'I can't hear it' - Wimbledon's first day of electronic calling What are main questions facing England before Euros? A family affair as Poulter and son battle to qualify for Open Have we watched Messi's final game on global stage? Who will win Euro 2025? BBC pundits make their predictions. Video Who will win Euro 2025? BBC pundits make their predictions Verstappen, Russell and Mercedes - what factors are at play? The end of one of football's great full-back duos - where do they rank? The Commonwealth Games swimmer who might not see 40 The chase is on - why no team can feel safe against Stokes' England Why 'best-dressed officials' are missing from Wimbledon Which young players could light up Euro 2025? What do you remember about the 2013 Lions tour? Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.