Everything happened so fast – Chelsea boss reacts as Real Madrid sign up their £72m star

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Real Madrid have confirmed Kepa Arrizabalaga has completed a season-long loan move to Spanish side Real Madrid from Chelsea.

Kepa joins the Los Blancos, after an injury to Thibaut Courtois that will keep him out until the end of the season.

As at a week ago, nothing like this was on the cards, as Real Madrid needed an emergency signing following the injury to Thibaut Courtois.

The deal was very much needed, and Chelsea manager had admitted that everything happened really fast.

“Kepa [joining Real Madrid]? Yes, correct. Everything was very fast. He has permission to explore other options and we’ll see what happens in the next 24-48 hours,” Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino said before his team played Liverpool on Sunday.

“He has to explore different situations and different possibilities.

“Yesterday we were talking and we decided to have players who committed for the season in the squad.”

The deal is now official, and Real Madrid have released a club statement, thus: “Real Madrid CF and Chelsea FC have agreed on the loan of the player Kepa Arrizabalaga, who remains attached to the club this season, until June 30, 2024.

“In his five seasons at Chelsea, he has won 1 Champions League, 1 Club World Cup, 1 European Super Cup and 1 Europa League. This year he received the award for the best save in the Premier League for the 2022-2023 season.

“Kepa is international with the Spanish team, with which he has been proclaimed champion of the 2023 Nations League. With Spain, he also won the European Under-19 in 2012.

“Tomorrow, Tuesday, August 15, at 1:30 p.m. at Real Madrid City, the presentation ceremony for Kepa as a new Real Madrid player will take place.

“Next, Kepa will appear before the media.”