Thibaut Courtois has made public, on more than one occasion, his desire to move to Spain, and today he officially got his wish. The world class goalkeeper is officially leaving Chelsea and joining Real Madrid (for a fee that’s been reported as £35 million), with midfielder Mateo Kovacic going the other way on a season long loan deal.
Chelsea have just sent out a press release officially confirming the departure of the No. 1 and also the arrival of the Croatian sensation.
We have tonight agreed terms with Real Madrid for the transfer of Thibaut Courtois, subject to the agreement of personal terms and a medical. As part of the deal, Mateo Kovacic will join Chelsea on a season-long loan.https://t.co/WXhHzEdf6D
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 8, 2018
Shortly afterward, they sent out a release confirming the acquisition of Kepa Arrizabalaga, the Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper who will be Courtois’ replacement. Even though Courtois is Belgian, this move is sort of like a homecoming for him. He has two small children in Spain, and he has often said publicly that his career prevents him from seeing them as much as he would like.
Courtois also spent three years on loan with Atletico Madrid, where he developed a love for life in Spain, and an affinity to the naiton’s culture.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, is currently a regular contributor to SB Nation, WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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