Kepa wants to be bought by Real
After number one goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and was likely to miss the whole of the 2023-2024 season, Real recruited Kepa from Chelsea on a one-year loan with an option to buy permanently in the summer of 2024.
During the press conference at the Bernabeu, when asked about the possibility of signing a long-term contract with Real, the Spanish goalkeeper: "I hope so. Today is my first day at Real on loan. . But we have time and let's wait and see. Hopefully with my effort and performance, it can happen."
Kepa chose number 25 because No. 1 belonged to Courtois and 13 belonged to Andriy Lunin, and emphasized that he did not want to compare with two fellow goalkeepers. "I'm here to forge my path and make a name for myself," he said confidently. "What I do or do not do is related to myself, not because of comparison with other goalkeepers."
Kepa still holds the record for the most expensive goalkeeper in the world when he joined Chelsea in 2018 from Bilbao for $93 million. The 28-year-old goalkeeper started regularly in his first two seasons with Chelsea, but fell out of favor under coach Thomas Tuchel. He regained the starting position for the 2022-2023 season, then returned to the bench this season when Chelsea recruited Robert Sanchez from Brighton for a fee of $ 25 million.
In total, Kepa made 163 appearances for Chelsea, winning one Champions League, one Europa League, one European Super Cup and one FIFA Club World Cup. He admitted to having gone through a positive period at Stamford Bridge, constantly competing for titles in England and the continental arena, playing with many high-class teammates.
Kepa was born in 1994, grew up in Bilbao's academy and almost joined Real in January 2018, but the deal collapsed at the last minute. The Spanish goalkeeper thinks he is much more mature than five years ago, is at the peak of his career and is ready to take on a new challenge. He said he did not think much when contacted by Real, and his wife also supported the decision to go to Madrid.
Kepa is proud to be playing for Real and revealed that he often watched his idol Iker Casillas play when he was a child. He also wished a speedy recovery to his new teammates, Courtois, Eder Militao and Arda Guler. Militao ruptured a knee ligament and had to take a long-term break like Courtois, while Guler injured his knee and had to be out for the rest of October.
During Kepa's debut, president Florentino Perez welcomed the Spanish goalkeeper to Madrid and revealed he turned down many offers to join Real. Before choosing the royal team, Kepa was Bayern's top target to replace Manuel Neuer and Yann Sommer. However, neither Chelsea nor the 28-year-old goalkeeper accepted the German team's offer of a one-year loan with an option to buy.
Kepa can make his debut in the trip to Almeria in the second round of La Liga on August 19.
