Arsenal have officially completed the signing of Spain international goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea for a fee of £5 million. The 30-year-old joins the Gunners on a three-year deal following a successful loan spell at Bournemouth during the 2024–25 season, where he made 35 appearances across all competitions.
Kepa expressed his excitement about joining the North London side, highlighting the club’s ambition and his conversations with manager Mikel Arteta and goalkeeping coach Iñaki Caña.
“I’m really, really happy to be here, really excited and looking forward to what is coming,” Kepa said. “The ambition that is shown in this club, when I talked with Mikel and Iñaki, how much they showed me their desire to win… I think we are so close to winning and, hopefully, altogether, we can achieve it.”
Despite no longer holding a starting role at Chelsea, Kepa remains the world’s most expensive goalkeeper, having signed for the Blues in 2018 from Athletic Bilbao for a then-record £71 million.
Kepa’s arrival at the Emirates Stadium adds strong competition to Arsenal’s goalkeeping department, especially for fellow Spaniard David Raya, who established himself as the Gunners’ No. 1 last season.
The move comes after Arsenal opted not to make a permanent deal for Brazilian goalkeeper Neto, who was on loan from Bournemouth during the 2024–25 campaign.
Kepa made 163 appearances for Chelsea and was part of squads that won the Champions League, Europa League, and FIFA Club World Cup. He also spent the 2023–24 season on loan at Real Madrid, helping them win both La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.
His experience, leadership, and pedigree in top-flight football are expected to strengthen Arsenal’s squad as they continue their pursuit of silverware under Mikel Arteta.
