Chelsea confirm shock world record arrival of Courtois replacement

Chelsea have confirmed the signing of Athletic Club goalkeeper Kepa in a world record deal worth €80m (£71.6m).

Maurizio Sarri’s side have agreed to make the 23-year-old the most expensive goalkeeper of all-time after Athletic Club made it clear they had to trigger his release clause.

Chelsea officially deposited his release clause on Wednesday morning and the Spain international has now put pen to paper on a 7-year deal running until 2025.

Kepa came close to joining Real Madrid in January for less than £20m before signing a new long-term deal with Athletic Club but now becomes the most expensive goalkeeper of all-time.

Liverpool shattered the record when they signed Alisson from Roma in a deal worth £67m earlier this summer but Chelsea have gone one further in a stunning deal that has developed in the last 48 hours.

Kepa’s arrival has paved the way for Thibaut Courtois to join Real Madrid after making his desire to return to Spain and reconnect with his children clear to the Premier League giants.

Kepa made more accurate long balls than any player in La Liga last season (368).