Chelsea goalie Kepa Arrizabalaga joins Real Madrid on loan

Aug. 14 (UPI) -- Real Madrid signed Chelsea's Kepa Arrizabalaga on season-long loan, replacing injured goalie Thibaut Courtois, the soccer clubs announced Monday.

Arrizabalaga's contract will expire June 30. The veteran goalie started 29 games last season for the Blues, but did not appear in their season opener, a 1-1 draw with Liverpool on Sunday in London.

Arrizabalaga, 28, totaled 90 saves and nine clean sheets last season. He allowed 33 goals in 2022-23. Arrizabalaga joined Chelsea in 2018. He also spent time with La Liga's Athletic Club, Real Valladolid, Ponferradina and Basconia.

Chelsea won a Champions League, Club World Cup, European Super League and Europa League titles during Arrizabalaga's five-year tenure. Arrizabalaga also made 13 international appearances for the Spain national team. He was a member of Spain's 2018 World Cup roster.

Real Madrid announced Thursday that Courtois was diagnosed with a torn ACL and would undergo surgery. The veteran goalie posted a photo of himself with a leg cast Friday on Instagram and said he is motivated to "recover as soon as possible."

Madrid also announced that Brazilian defender Eder Militao sustained a torn ACL and underwent surgery. Manager Carlo Ancelotti wrote Sunday on Instagram that the absences will "motivate" the team to "fight even harder" until the injured players return.

Madrid beat Athletic Club 2-0 in their season opener Saturday in Bilbao, Spain. They will battle Almeria in another La Liga match at 1:30 p.m. EDT Saturday in Almeria, Spain.

Chelsea will face West Ham in a Premier League match at 11:30 a.m. Sunday in London. Goalie Robert Sanchez started their season opener.