Arsenal sign Spain international from Chelsea

Arsenal have completed the signing of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from London rivals Chelsea. 

The Gunners confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that they had signed the Spaniard permanently.

Kepa, 30, becomes Arsenal’s first signing of the summer transfer window so far, although the North London outfit are expected to make more signings in the coming weeks.

The Spain international become the most expensive ‘keeper in world football when he joined Chelsea from Athletic Bilbao for a fee of £72 million in 2018.

He endured a difficult spell at Stamford Bridge, though, making a number of high profile errors before eventually being replaced by Edouard Mendy as the Blues’ number one.

Kepa spent last season on loan at Bournemouth (Photo: Action Plus Sports Images/Alamy)

More recently the Spaniard fell completely out of favour in SW6 and was sent on loan to Real Madrid, before returning to England and joining Bournemouth on loan last term.

During his time on the south coast, Kepa kept nine clean sheets in 35 games for the Cherries.

In total the ‘keeper made 163 appearances across all competitions for Chelsea, as well as winning four trophies including the Champions League and Club World Cup, but he now departs to join one of their fiercest rivals.

Kepa is likely to act as back-up to fellow countryman David Raya, who has established himself as the Gunners’ first choice ‘keeper in recent seasons.