AFC Bournemouth have signed Chelsea and Spain goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga on loan for the 2024/25 campaign.
The 29-year-old is well known by AFC Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola as the pair were both at Athletic Bilbao together, however, Iraola wasn’t aware of whether or not the duo had been part of the same team at any point.
"Things are happening" 🗣️
Andoni Iraola discusses Bournemouth's proposed move for goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/GlADhwwzWS
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) August 27, 2024
Kepa Arrizabalaga joins AFC Bournemouth as the most decorated player the club has ever signed.
He's a Kepa 🧤 pic.twitter.com/AfeiLh2jmP
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) August 29, 2024
Arrizabalaga went on to join Chelsea from Athletic Bilbao in 2018 for £72 million, a world-record fee for a goalkeeper. During his first season at the club he won the UEFA Europa League and reached the final of the EFL Cup (Arrizabalaga has three runners-up medals in this competition).
During his second season, Chelsea reached Wembley again, this time in the final of the FA Cup, again taking home a runners-up medal, although Kepa on this occasion didn’t play in the final (Arrizabalaga again has three runners-up medals in this competition and has featured in the showcase final once).
In August 2019, another runners-up medal was added, with the UEFA Super Cup, which was lost via a penalty shoot-out. In 2021 however, Chelsea won this tournament winning the penalty shoot-out, with Kepa coming on for the spot kicks.
Chelsea’s participation in the UEFA Super Cup in 2021 came after the London club had won the UEFA Champions League during the 2020/21 campaign, although Kepa collected a winners medal he only featured in one game during the competition as by this point he had lost his place as first choice ‘keeper at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea would also go on to win the FIFA Club World Cup in 2021, with Kepa again featuring in the competition but not the final.
More regular football followed for the 2022/23 campaign with regular appearances in both the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League, before a loan move to Spanish giants Real Madrid followed in 2023/24.
Real Madrid went on to win the Spanish league title, the Spanish Super Cup, and won the UEFA Champions League. Kepa featured in La Liga on 14 occasions, whilst also playing in the UEFA Champions League, the Copa Del Rey and the final of the Spanish Super Cup.
At international level since making his debut for Spain in 2017, Arrizabalaga has won 13 caps and has been part of the national side when they won the UEFA Nations League in 2023.
He makes the move to AFC Bournemouth after signing a contract extension with Chelsea beyond the current season, reportedly taking a wage cut. The Cherries are then contributing to Kepa’s wages, but not paying his full salary.
Kepa Arrizabalaga to Bournemouth
• Season loan without buy option
• Kepa took wage cut of ‘around 50%’ to play Premier League football
• Signed Chelsea contract with club option to extend until 2026 on reduced salary
• Analysis here: https://t.co/EJP3OEbB1R pic.twitter.com/Zd96vuZ4Eo— Duncan Castles (@DuncanCastles) August 29, 2024
🚨🍒 Official, confirmed. Kepa signs new deal at Chelsea until June 2026 and joins Bournemouth on loan.#AFCB will contribute to salary but there will be NO buy option in the contract. pic.twitter.com/ChCICDi9n8
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 29, 2024
AFC Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake told afcb.co.uk…
“We are delighted to bring a player of Kepa’s calibre to AFC Bournemouth.
“We were aware of his availability and were keen to take the opportunity to bring him to the club on loan.
“We believe he will be an exciting addition to our talented goalkeeping department.”
https://twitter.com/afcbournemouth/status/1829081563319107995
Your say…
wellsworld wrote…
Regardless of whether he’s any good or not (time will tell), the level of players we have signed recently has been ridiculous – no one can accuse the owner of lack of ambition, that’s for sure – quite incredible as a bormuff fan. – To join the conversation, click here.
Matt Stevenson added…
I’ve quickly looked at the stats of Kepa vs Neto in the 22/23 season (when both played the majority of the season: Neto 2384 minutes and Kepa 2565)
Both parry the majority of shots faced
Neto made more errors leading to chances per 90 minutes (neither keeper made a mistake that lead to a goal that season)
Kepa had the better xG prevented per 90 minute
and a higher xG prevented as a ratio of xG on target faced
I’m not sure on the net money implications, but purely on these stats Kepa had the edge. – To join the conversation, click here.
