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E-mail Xinhua, August 30, 2024
Bournemouth have signed Spain international goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga on a season-long loan deal from Chelsea.
It is the 29-year-old's second consecutive loan after he spent last season with Real Madrid, where he made 20 first-team appearances.
Chelsea's Kepa Arrizabalaga (L, front) saves the goal during the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal first Leg match between Real Madrid and Chelsea FC in Madrid, Spain, on April 12, 2023. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)
The move sees Kepa leave Chelsea's bloated first team squad, which had contained six goalkeepers, before his departure.
"We were aware of his availability and were keen to take the opportunity to bring him to the club on loan," said Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake. "We believe he will be an exciting addition to our talented goalkeeping department."
The move sees Kepa reunited with Bournemouth coach, Andoni Iraola, who was in the Athletic Club first team, while Kepa progressed through the Basque club's youth system prior to signing for Chelsea for a world record fee for a goalkeeper of 80 million euros.
Kepa has played 13 times for Spain's national team, although he missed out on the squad for the European Championship after losing his first team place at Real Madrid to Andriy Lunin.
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