Kepa Arrizabalaga joins Arsenal from Chelsea

Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea.

The Gunners triggered his £5m release clause after adding an extra year to his contract last summer before a successful loan spell at Bournemouth.

Kepa will compete with compatriot David Raya for the starting spot next season.

After signing his contract, Kepa said: “I’m really, really happy to be here, really excited and looking forward to what is coming.

“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.”

Kepa Arrizabalaga is still the world’s most expensive goalkeeper since joining Chelsea in 2018 for £72m from Athletic Bilbao.

He racked up 163 appearances for the Blues, winning four major honours during a mixed seven-year spell at Stamford Bridge.

The Spain international also spent a season on loan at Real Madrid, where he won La Liga and the Champions League during the 2023-24 season.

Arteta added: “We are really happy to have Kepa joining us. He is a player we know, having come up against him many times in recent seasons. He brings a wealth of experience, which his teammates will benefit from, and he has a real hunger to win.

“Kepa works hard and will elevate our levels. I know he will fit in perfectly, already knowing some of his teammates, and we are really excited about his future with us.”