Chelsea made Kepa Arrizabalaga the most expensive goalkeeper in the world when they paid £71.6m seven years ago – and he now leaves for a cut-price fee
Arsenal have confirmed the £5m signing of keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea. The Gunners have swooped for the Spain international who is set to become back-up and competition for current No.1 David Raya.
Arsenal have activated a £5m buy-out clause in Kepa’s contract which means he leaves Chelsea for a bargain fee seven years after moving to Stamford Bridge for £71.6m which made him the most expensive keeper in the world.
Kepa, 30, who has won 13 senior caps for Spain, spent last season on loan at Bournemouth but was open to the switch to Arsenal to give himself a fresh challenge.
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Arsenal are expected to confirm the signing of Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi with both partly being announced now it is July 1 and a new month means their pay and new contracts kick in.
Zubimendi has agreed a £51m switch while Arsenal are still looking for a left winger and striker with Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres on their radar as a new No9 while they have looked at various wide options with Real Madrid ’s Rodrygo an ambitious target.
They have also held talks with Crystal Palace attacker Eberechi Eze who has a £68m buy-out clause in his contract.
Kepa begun his career in Spain with Basconia, having come through the youth ranks at Athletic Bilbao. He returned to Bilbao, initially to play for their B team, before featuring 53 times in La Liga.
In 2018, the Blues made him the world’s most-expensive goalkeeper but he made regular errors at Stamford Bridge over the course of his 163 appearances. Kepa did, however, win both the Europa League and the Champions League with Chelsea.
He spent the 2023-24 season on loan at Real Madrid before moving to Bournemouth last term, helping the Cherries to a ninth-placed finish.
Kepa will act mainly as understudy to Raya at the Emirates and will likely mainly feature in cup competitions.
In a post on his Instagram page, Kepa wrote: “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 both as a footballer and as a person.
“I arrived full of dreams and I leave with unforgettable memories: titles like the Champions League, Europa League, UEFA Super Cup, Club World Cup… but above all, moments shared with incredible people on and off the pitch.
“Thank you to the coaches, the staff, my teammates, and most of all, to you, the fans. Wearing this badge has been an honour and a source of pride.
“Now a new chapter begins, and I face it with the same passion and commitment as always. I leave with a heart full of gratitude.”
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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
