Real Madrid have confirmed the signing of Thibaut Courtois from Chelsea for a transfer fee of €35M. Los Blues have agreed a new deal with Kepa Arrizabalaga for €80M, giving Courtoid the opportunity to finally leave London. The Belgian goalkeeper was unveiled this Thursday at Santiago Bernabéu stadium accompanied by Florentino Pérez and lots of supporters.
Finally, Real Madrid could sign the goalkeeper they will fetching for many years. Keylor Navas has a tough competitor and the level of the toughest position gets higher with two of the best goalies in the world. Now Lopetegui has to decide how to deal with these two stars for just one position in the field.
Florentino Pérez was very happy to unveil Courtois: “Today we welcome the best goalkeeper of the World Cup. Today we welcome Thibaut Courtois. You are with us, as you wished, for your work, pace and quality. One of the best goalkeepers of the world, if not the best, crucial for the third position of Belgium in Russia, being the best goalkeeper of the World Cup. This signing is inside the strategy of the club to face a competitive scene in this sport”, the president commented.
Courtois also gave his first speech as Real Madrid player: “Thanks to the president for this words and everybody who is here. Today I accomplish a dream. Only the people who know me know how much I worked for being here. Thanks to Real Madrid, it wasn’t easy. I gave everything during my whole career. Since today I can put the illusion I had as a child with the admiration I felt for the players arriving to this stadium. Today I’m one of you, one madridista more and I want to be ready for the history of the club and its values. Thank you and Hala Madrid”, the player said.
Courtois said several times that he wanted to play in the Spanish capital because his two kids live in Madrid. Now he accomplished a dream after playing for Atlético Madrid three years on loan. He actually was the goalkeeper in the 10th Champions League trophy won by Los Blancos with the unforgettable header of Sergio Ramos.