Spanish international goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has joined the club.
The 30-year-old has won major honours for clubs and his country, and is vastly experienced in the Premier League with 140 appearances to his name.
Kepa arrives from Chelsea, having spent the last two seasons on loan at Real Madrid and Bournemouth, and joins us to reinforce our goalkeeping unit.
Hailing from the north of Spain, he began his career with Athletic Bilbao, joining their academy aged 10 and progressing to the first team via spells with Basconia and Bilbao Athletic. He also spent valuable time on loan with Ponferradina and Real Valladolid before establishing himself with Athletic Club as one of the top goalkeepers in his homeland.
In August 2018, Kepa became the world’s most expensive goalkeeper when he joined Chelsea, and during his time in west London he was part of the squads that lifted the Champions League, Europa League, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup.
In 2023/24, he returned to Spain to join Real Madrid on loan and played his part as the club went on to win the Champions League and Spanish Super Cup. Kepa then spent last season with Bournemouth, making 35 appearances in all competitions.
Having represented Spain at youth level, he made his senior debut in a 5-0 win against Costa Rica in November 2017 and has gone on to make 13 senior appearances for his country, as well as winning the 2023 UEFA Nations League.
After signing his contract, Kepa said: “I’m really, really happy to be here, really excited and looking forward to what is coming.
“The ambition that is shown in this club, when I talk with Mikel [Arteta] and Inaki [Cana], how much they show me their desire to win… I think we are so close to winning and, hopefully, altogether, we can achieve it.”
Sporting Director, Andrea Berta, added: “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.
“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.”
Arteta added: “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.
“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.”
Kepa will wear the number 13 shirt and will immediately join up with his new teammates at the Sobha Realty Training Centre.
Everyone at Arsenal welcomes Kepa to the club.
The transfer is subject to the completion of regulatory processes.
