After seven years on the books at Chelsea, Thibaut Courtois has this evening completed his long-awaited return to Madrid.
Courtois was keen to be reunited with his family, who put down roots in the Spanish capital during the three seasons he spent on loan at Atletico between 2011 and 2014.
The move is still subject to a medical, but is as good as a formality from this point.
We have tonight agreed terms with Real Madrid for the transfer of Thibaut Courtois, subject to the agreement of personal terms and a medical. As part of the deal, Mateo Kovacic will join Chelsea on a season-long loan.https://t.co/WXhHzEdf6D
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 8, 2018
Real Madrid issued a sister statement to confirm that Courtois is pretty much theirs to have and hold, meaning he becomes the first Belgian player to sign for the La Liga giants in over 50 years.
Indeed, the last Belgian to join Los Blancos was Fernand Goyvaerts, who switched from Barcelona in 1967.
The fee involved – with Courtois, not Goyvaerts – is believed to be around £35million.
Conversely, Chelsea have replaced him by breaking the world record to bring in Kepa from Atheltic Bilbao for £71million.
The Blues will also be taking Mateo Kovacic on a season-long loan into the bargain but still, you have to feel that is incredibly strong money for a 23-year-old with just one international cap.
It’s time…
Welcome to Chelsea, @kepa_46! 🙌#WelcomeKepa https://t.co/X0uSlQKUpP
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 8, 2018
You may be interested to know that, just this time last year, Kepa was on the verge of joining Real for £18million before the transfer petered out.
Madness. Pure madness.