Arsenal sign goalkeeper Kepa from Chelsea for ￡5m

Arsenal has completed the signing of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea after paying his five-million pound (6.8 million US dollar) release clause.

The 30-year-old moves to north-London to provide backup and competition to fellow Spaniard, David Raya, who is currently first choice with the club that finished last season second in the Premier League.

Chelsea's goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga makes a save during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second Leg match against Borussia Dortmund in London, Britain on March 7, 2023. (Xinhua)

He joins Arsenal after impressing last season on loan at Bournemouth, after spending the 2023-24 campaign at Real Madrid.

A product of the Athletic Club Bilbao youth system, Kepa joined Chelsea for 80 million euros (94.3 million US dollars) in the summer of 2018, in what is still a world record transfer for a goalkeeper.

Although he made 163 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions, Kepa never really convinced at the south-London club and after two seasons as first choice, with Chelsea signing Edouard Mendy to relegate him to the substitutes' bench and sending him on loan in the last two seasons.

"I'm really, really happy to be here, really excited and looking forward to what is coming," Kepa told the Arsenal website after his move.

"The ambition that is shown in this club, when I talk with (coach) Mikel (Arteta) and (goalkeeping coach) Inaki Cana, shows me their desire to win... I think we are so close to winning and, hopefully, altogether, we can achieve it," he said.

Arteta also expressed his satisfaction at signing a fellow Basque. "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," said the Arsenal coach.

Arsenal is expected to confirm deals for Real Sociedad midfielder, Martin Zubimendi and Brentford's Christian Norgaard in the coming days.