Real signs Courtois from Chelsea
MADRID: Real Madrid has signed Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois from Chelsea while Croatia midfielder Mateo Kovacic goes the other way on loan, the clubs said yesterday.
Courtois has agreed a sixyear contract and Real will pay an initial ¤35 million ($NZ61 million) for the Belgian goalkeeper, Spanish media reported.
‘‘The Golden Glove [winner] from the last World Cup signs for the Champions League champions after his impressive performance in Russia,’’ Real Madrid said.
‘‘After his medical on Thursday, August 9, the player will be presented in the presidential box at the Santiago Bernabeu.’’
The 26yearold previously played for Atletico Madrid on loan from Chelsea for three years from 2011 to 2014 and wanted to return to the Spanish capital where his children live.
‘‘I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for the four fantastic years that have passed. Chelsea FC will always have a fantastic place in my heart,’’ Courtois said on Facebook.
‘‘I want to thank the fans for their great support over the years. I hope you understand that being closer to my kids was considerable in my decision.’’
Courtois played 154 times for Chelsea after arriving at Stamford Bridge in 2011, keeping 58 clean sheets.
British media reported that the Belgian, who has played 65 times for his country and helped it reach this year’s World Cup semifinals, had not shown up for training at Chelsea for the past two days in a bid to force through the transfer.
‘‘Chelsea and Real Madrid have tonight agreed terms for the permanent transfer of Thibaut Courtois subject to the agreement of personal terms and passing a medical,’’ Chelsea said.
Courtois is set to take over as Julen Lopetegui’s firstchoice goalkeeper at the Santiago Bernabeu, meaning Keylor Navas and Kiko Casilla will probably be demoted.
Madrid has attempted to replace Navas in each of the previous two close seasons, despite the Costa Rican helping it win three Champions League titles in three years.
Chelsea has completed the signing of Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga for a world record ¤80 million and the 23yearold Spaniard has signed a sevenyear contract.
‘‘It’s a very important decision for me, for my career and also for my personal life,’’ Arrizabalaga said.
‘‘I’m very glad Chelsea has decided to trust me and to take me in as well.’’
The Spaniard becomes the most expensive goalkeeper in football history, replacing Brazilian Alisson who completed a ¤75 million move to Liverpool last month from AS Roma.
Kovacic (24) will compete for places in Chelsea’s midfield under new manager Maurizio Sarri alongside Frenchman N’Golo Kante, Italian Jorginho and Spaniard Cesc Fabregas. — Reuters