Kepa joins Real Madrid on loan from Chelsea.

After 163 appearances for Chelsea, the show came to an end with goalkeeper Kepa for a loan  move to the Spanish League club Real Madrid.

Kepa who joined Chelsea from Atletico Bilbao

in the summer of 2018  for £71.8m, a world record transfer fee for a goalkeeper at the time is on his way on loan to Real Madrid after the takeover by Pochetino the new Chelsea manager.

The 28-year-old Spain international, who joined the Blues in a £71.6m switch from Athletic Bilbao in August 2018, is contracted at the Bernabeu until June next year.

Real Madrid were looking for a new goalkeeper after Thibaut Courtois suffered an ACL injury in training on Thursday which is expected to keep him out for most of the season.

A statement on Real’s official website said: “Real Madrid CF and Chelsea FC have agreed on the loan of the player Kepa Arrizabalaga, who is linked to the club this season, until June 30, 2024.

“In his five seasons at Chelsea, he has won one Champions League, one Club World Cup, one European Super Cup and one Europa League.

“This year, he has received the award for the best save in the Premier League for the 2022/2023 season.

“Kepa is an international with the Spanish team, with which he has been proclaimed champion of the 2023 Nations League. With Spain, he also won the U19 European Championship in 2012.”

Kepa will be formally presented as a Real Madrid player this week.

His return to Spain follows the arrival of 25-year-old compatriot Robert Sanchez at Stamford Bridge.