Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga. File picture: Action Images by way of Reuters

Real Madrid has signed goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga on mortgage from Chelsea to assist make up for the absence of the injured Thibaut Courtois, the Spanish membership stated Monday.

Kepa's signing comes 4 days after Courtois tore a ligament in his left knee throughout coaching. The harm will sideline the Belgian worldwide for many of the season.

Kepa arrives on a contract till the tip of the season and can be part of a squad that already included Ukrainian Andriy Lunin, a reserve to Courtois who on Saturday began within the 2-0 win at Athletic Bilbao within the workforce's Spanish league opener.

It wasn't instantly clear if Spanish worldwide Kepa would arrive as a starter. Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti beforehand stated he had full confidence within the 24-year-old Lunin, who's coming into his fourth season with the membership.

Kepa had been in talks to affix Bayern Munich however the deal fell by after Madrid confirmed curiosity in signing the 28-year-old participant.

Bayern chief government Jan-Christian Dreesen stated Sunday the German membership had hoped to carry Kepa in for Manuel Neuer, who hasn’t performed for the reason that World Cup after breaking his leg whereas snowboarding on trip.

Kepa grew to become the world’s most costly goalkeeper when he was signed by Chelsea in 2018 for 80 million euros (then $93 million). He arrived then to exchange Courtois, who was leaving for Madrid.

The 31-year-old Courtois has been a pillar of Madrid’s success since he left Chelsea. He helped win the Champions League in 2022, the Spanish league in 2020 and 2022, and final season’s Copa del Rey.

Madrid on Saturday additionally misplaced defender Éder Militão due to a severe knee harm sustained within the opener in Bilbao.