Real Madrid have completed the signing of Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois after his long-drawn-out transfer saga.
The Londoners have officially confirmed they have agreed a deal with the European champions to take the Belgium international back to the Spanish capital, where he spent three years on loan with Atletico Madrid between 2011 and 2014.
The 26-year-old, who was named best goalkeeper at this summer’s World Cup in Russia, has been a target for Los Blancos for some time, and Courtois has now got his wish of a return to the country where his children live.
It is thought the fee for the stopper is in the region of €40m, with Madrid midfielder Mateo Kovacic going in the opposite direction as part of the agreement, while Courtois has signed a six-year contract with Julen Lopetegui’s team.
Real Madrid now have four goalkeepers competing for three places, meaning one will need to be moved on, with the most pressing problem being the future of Keylor Navas, who has been between the sticks for the club’s last three Champions League successes.
Courtois won two Premier League titles in his four seasons at Stamford Bridge, making 126 league appearances in the process, and will be officially presented as a Madrid player on Thursday.
