Official: Arsenal confirm the signing of Kepa Arrizabalaga

Arsenal have officially confirmed the signing of Spanish goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, marking their first major addition of the summer transfer window. Many more are expected to follow in the coming days and weeks.

The former Chelsea and Real Madrid shot-stopper joins the Gunners in a deal that signals a reshaping of Mikel Arteta’s goalkeeping department ahead of the 2025/26 season.

Kepa, 30, arrives in North London after spending the 2024/25 campaign on loan at Bournemouth, where he was their first choice goalkeeper. With his contract at Chelsea having a £5million release clause active from this summer, Arsenal moved swiftly to secure the experienced goalkeeper for below market value, offering him the opportunity to compete at the top level once more in the Premier League and Champions League.

The Spaniard will provide direct competition to David Raya. Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta identified Kepa as a high-calibre, experienced option to maintain depth and quality in goal.

Kepa brings a wealth of experience, having made over 160 appearances for Chelsea since his then-record £71.6 million move from Athletic Bilbao in 2018. Despite a turbulent spell in West London, the Basque-born keeper has rebuilt his reputation with improved performances on loan and remains a regular in the Spain national team setup.

After signing his contract, Kepa said: “I’m really, really happy to be here, really excited and looking forward to what is coming.

“The ambition that is shown in this club, when I talk with Mikel [Arteta] and Inaki [Cana], how much they show me their desire to win… I think we are so close to winning and, hopefully, altogether, we can achieve it.”

Sporting Director, Andrea Berta, added: “We are really excited to have Kepa join our Arsenal family. He is a player with great experience, someone who has already won major trophies, and we cannot wait for him to join the group and help the club win.

“Kepa knows it is an exciting time to be at Arsenal and we know he is a player who will bring with him a winning mentality. We welcome him and his family to the club, and look forward to him meeting the players and staff, with everyone excited to see him.”

Arteta added: “We are really happy to have Kepa joining us. He is a player we know, having come up against him many times in recent seasons. He brings a wealth of experience, which his teammates will benefit from, and he has a real hunger to win.

“Kepa works hard and will elevate our levels. I know he will fit in perfectly, already knowing some of his teammates, and we are really excited about his future with us.”

Kepa will wear the number 13 shirt and will immediately join up with his new teammates at the Sobha Realty Training Centre.

This signing also signals Arsenal’s continued intent to add seasoned winners to their youthful core. With the Gunners pushing for major silverware next season, Kepa’s arrival strengthens a key area of the pitch ahead of a demanding campaign.

For more on Arsenal’s transfer activity, visit our Arsenal transfer news section and follow all the latest updates on Arsenal signings 2025.