Chelsea have announced the signing of World Cup winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez from Aston Villa.
The 33-year-old has moved to Stamford Bridge on a three-year deal after a six-year stay at Villa, where he won the Europa League trophy last season.
Villa signed Japan international Zion Suzuki earlier in the transfer window and had been looking to offload Martínez, who will now likely be Chelsea’s No. 1 pick. A proposed move to Juventus fell through earlier in August.
Martínez was a key part of the Argentina team that won the World Cup in 2022 and finished runners-up to Spain at the tournament this summer.
Read more:Chelsea set to sign Emiliano Martínez from Aston Villa – sources
“I’m delighted to be at this football club,” Martinez told club media. “Coming to Chelsea, for me and my family, was an easy decision to make and I’m just over the moon — I can’t wait to get started.
“I want to be successful here. I’m someone who wants to win at everything I do and I want to bring that here to this football club because it’s a football club that wins titles, so I think it’s a good match.
“I’m all passion and I play with my heart. I will give 100% every game, every training session to make the club, my teammates and the supporters proud.”
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Chelsea’s goalkeeping situation has been under renewed scrutiny following Robert Sánchez’s poor performance in Monday’s 3-2 win against Fulham.
Previous managers Mauricio Pochettino, Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior have all left Sánchez out of the squad for periods of time following poor form, with manager Xabi Alonso opting for a replacement in experienced Premier League keeper Martinez.
Chelsea face Brighton & Hove Albion in their second fixture of the Premier League on Sunday.
