OFFICIAL: Two years ago, he was a laughingstock. Today, he's a Real Madrid player
Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 14.08.23. | 12:59
Kepa Arrizabalaga joins Los Blancos on a season-long loan
Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has completed a season-long loan move to Real Madrid to replace injured Thibaut Courtois, the two clubs announced on Monday.
The injury sustained by their primary goalkeeper has left Los Blancos with limited options in the goalkeeping department, with 24-year-old backup Andriy Lunin being the sole alternative. As a result, it is likely that Kepa will be immediately integrated into the starting lineup.
It's a big turnaround in the career of the former Athletic Club youngster after two years of sitting on the bench in West London. Kepa has impressively resurrected his footballing reputation following a mixed period at Chelsea. In 2018, he arrived in London for a record-breaking goalkeeper fee of $91 million.
During his initial year in England, he drew significant attention when he refused to leave the pitch for penalty specialist Willy Caballero during the League Cup final, in direct defiance of Maurizio Sarri's instructions, causing friction with the Italian manager. Chelsea eventually lost on penalties to Manchester City. It looked like it was the end of his career at Stamford Bridge, but he stayed.
When Florentino tells Kepa it's time to go back to Chelsea in June 😂😂😂pic.twitter.com/fDP31y5sMU
— Noodle Vini (@vini_ball) August 14, 2023
After serving as Chelsea's primary goalkeeper for a couple of seasons, Kepa lost his position upon the arrival of Edouard Mendy in 2020, resulting in just 11 league appearances across the 2020/21 and 2021/22 campaigns.
However, he made a triumphant return to the starting lineup last season, displacing Mendy and delivering one of the league's highest save percentages.
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