Chelsea have signed Spanish goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga for a world record 80 million-euro (US$92.8 million) fee from Athletic Bilbao, the Premier League club said on Wednesday (Aug 8).
With Thibaut Courtois joining Real Madrid, Chelsea signed 23-year-old Arrizabalaga as an instant replacement for the Belgium international.
Arrizabalaga becomes the most expensive goalkeeper in football history, ahead of Liverpool's Alisson, who moved from AS Roma for 75 million euros earlier in the transfer window.
Athletic confirmed earlier on Wednesday that Arrizabalaga's representatives deposited his buy-out clause at La Liga's offices.
Arrizabalaga has played 53 La Liga matches for Athletic Bilbao since breaking into the team in 2016.
After being strongly linked to Real Madrid, Arrizabalaga signed a new deal with Bilbao in January which raised his release fee to 80 million from 20 million.
- Source: News websites
