LONDON: Arsenal have completed the signing of Spanish goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea in a three-year deal worth £5 million, the club confirmed on Tuesday.

The 30-year-old shot-stopper, who joined Chelsea from Athletic Club in 2018 on a seven-year contract for £71m, now joins the Gunners in search of more regular playing time and a fresh start under Mikel Arteta.
Kepa played 163 times for Chelsea and was part of the squads that won the Champions League, Europa League, and Club World Cup. He spent last season on loan at Real Madrid, helping them win both La Liga and the Champions League during the 2023-2024 campaign, and before that, he was loaned to Bournemouth.

“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.”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised the signing, saying, “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.”

Kepa becomes Arsenal’s first confirmed signing of the summer, with further arrivals expected, including midfielders Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard.