Kepa Arrizabalaga, the world’s most expensive goalkeeper following his £71 million transfer from Athletic Bilbao to Chelsea in 2018, is thrilled to embark on a new journey with AFC Bournemouth.
In an interview with the club’s YouTube channel, Kepa expressed his enthusiasm about joining Bournemouth and working under familiar management. “I know Andoni Iraola well from our time at Bilbao,” Kepa shared. “His positive talk about Bournemouth was a significant factor in my decision to come here. I’m excited to play in front of our fans and hopefully, we can achieve something great this season.”
Kepa joins Bournemouth following a successful loan spell at Real Madrid, where he made 20 appearances and contributed to their La Liga and Champions League victories. Despite his return to Chelsea, which led to an extension of his contract and prevented a free transfer at the end of his loan, Kepa is focused on his new chapter with the Cherries.
Neill Blake, Bournemouth’s chief executive, expressed his delight at securing Kepa’s services. “We are thrilled to bring a player of Kepa’s caliber to AFC Bournemouth,” Blake said. “We were aware of his availability and seized the opportunity to bring him in on loan. We believe he will be a fantastic addition to our talented goalkeeping squad.”
As Kepa settles into his new role, both he and the club are hopeful for a successful season filled with achievements and memorable moments.
