Arsenal have officially completed the signing of Spanish goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea, triggering the £5 million release clause in his contract. The 30-year-old, once the world's most expensive goalkeeper, has joined the Gunners on a three-year deal, providing experienced cover for first-choice keeper David Raya. This move marks a significant chapter in Kepa's career, as he leaves Stamford Bridge after seven years and numerous trophy wins to embark on a new journey at the Emirates Stadium.
Kepa’s career began in the north of Spain, where he joined Athletic Bilbao’s academy at the age of 10. He progressed through the ranks, including loan spells at Ponferradina and Real Valladolid, before establishing himself as one of Spain’s top goalkeepers with Athletic Club. In August 2018, Kepa made headlines by moving to Chelsea for a world-record fee for a goalkeeper of around £71 million (€80 million or $93 million), a transfer that came after Thibaut Courtois’s exit and Alisson’s decision to join Liverpool.
During his time at Chelsea, Kepa was part of squads that lifted major honours including the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup. Despite some early struggles and a notable incident in the 2019 Carabao Cup final where he refused to be substituted, he was respected behind the scenes as a consummate professional and a positive squad member. Over seven years, he made 163 appearances for the Blues.
In recent seasons, Kepa spent two years on loan away from Chelsea. The 2023/24 campaign saw him at Real Madrid, where he contributed to the club’s Champions League and Spanish Super Cup victories. Following this, he spent the 2024/25 season as Bournemouth’s first-choice goalkeeper, making 35 appearances across all competitions and keeping nine clean sheets. His performances helped Bournemouth secure the Premier League’s sixth-best defensive record that season, marking the club’s best-ever finish in the top flight.
Arsenal’s Sporting Director Andrea Berta expressed excitement about Kepa’s arrival, highlighting his wealth of experience and winning mentality. “We are really excited to have Kepa join our Arsenal family. He is a player with great experience, someone who has already won major trophies, and we cannot wait for him to join the group and help the club win,” Berta said. “Kepa knows it is an exciting time to be at Arsenal and we know he is a player who will bring with him a winning mentality. We welcome him and his family to the club, and look forward to him meeting the players and staff, with everyone excited to see him.”
Manager Mikel Arteta also welcomed the new signing, emphasizing Kepa’s hunger and professionalism. “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,” Arteta commented. “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.”
Upon signing, Kepa himself expressed his enthusiasm and readiness for the challenge ahead. “I'm really, really happy to be here, really excited and looking forward to what is coming,” he said. “The ambition that is shown in this club, when I talk with Mikel and Inaki Cana [goalkeeping coach], how much they show me their desire to win… I think we are so close to winning and, hopefully, altogether, we can achieve it.”
Kepa will wear the number 13 shirt and immediately joined his new teammates at Arsenal’s Sobha Realty Training Centre. His arrival replaces Neto, who spent the previous season on loan at Arsenal but was not signed permanently and has since returned to Bournemouth.
Notably, Kepa’s signing reunites him with former Chelsea teammate Kai Havertz, with whom he played 57 times. Kepa revealed he had spoken with Havertz and Martin Odegaard about the positive atmosphere in Arsenal’s dressing room. “I spoke with Kai. He was with Martin, so we were talking, we had a good chat together, and they already started explaining a little bit about how everything works and how good the atmosphere is right now in the changing room. So, I can't wait to join,” Kepa said. “We’re here to win. I think we have a great team. I think we have great staff around here, the best facilities, so we have to prepare ourselves for this season and to have success.”
Kepa also highlighted his relationship with David Raya, his compatriot and Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper. “He is a great goalkeeper and we have a very good relationship,” Kepa said. “We will compete, we will train together, we will share a lot of time together. We will have competition, as with all the positions in the team, but with the only goal that is to win and be the best ones.”
Having faced Arsenal nine times during his career, Kepa is excited to now call the Emirates Stadium home. “I’ve come here as an opponent but the atmosphere in the stadium is beautiful,” he remarked. “Obviously, it's a big stadium, a top stadium, with big fans. From outside you can see how much they love the club, how much they support the club and this, for a player, it’s amazing to have this support behind you.”
Kepa’s transfer is subject to the completion of regulatory processes, but fans and club alike are eager to see how he fits into Arsenal’s ambitions. His presence adds depth and experience to the goalkeeping department, which is crucial as Arsenal looks to challenge for the Premier League title and other honours.
Last season, Kepa’s performances for Bournemouth demonstrated that he remains a top-level goalkeeper capable of competing at the highest level. His eight clean sheets in 31 Premier League appearances surpassed the contributions of Neto, Arsenal’s previous backup keeper, who only featured once in the Champions League during his loan spell.
Arsenal’s summer transfer activity is just beginning, with Kepa the first confirmed arrival. The club is expected to bolster the squad further with midfield signings like Brentford captain Christian Nørgaard and Real Sociedad’s Martín Zubimendi, as well as potential additions in attack. Manager Mikel Arteta is keen to build a squad capable of mounting a serious title challenge, and Kepa’s experience and winning mentality align perfectly with that vision.
As the Premier League season approaches, all eyes will be on how Kepa adapts to his new environment and competes for the starting spot with David Raya. While Raya is expected to remain the number one, Kepa’s ability to step in seamlessly when called upon provides Arsenal with valuable security in goal.
With a career that has seen highs and lows, including world-record transfer attention, Champions League triumphs, and resilience through challenging spells, Kepa Arrizabalaga’s move to Arsenal signals a fresh start. The Spaniard’s ambition to win and contribute to a club on the rise makes this signing a promising development for the Gunners’ 2025/26 campaign.
