Transfer news

Courtois heads to Atleti

July 22, 2011
By ESPNsoccernet staff

New Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has joined Atletico Madrid on a season-long loan deal.

Thibaut Courtois
GettyImagesThibaut Courtois will spend the 2011-12 campaign in La Liga

Villas-Boas happy with strikeforce
Blues to send Courtois on loan

The Blues confirmed on Monday that Courtois, 19, was undergoing a medical before completing a move - rumoured to be worth €9 million - from Belgian club Genk.

Courtois then passed a medical in Spain on Friday morning and arrives at Atletico as a replacement for David De Gea.

A statement on the official Atletico website read: "Atletico Madrid and Chelsea have reached an agreement for the transfer of Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois for next season.

"The 19-year-old goalkeeper passed a medical on Friday morning and signed the contract with his new club. On Sunday, he will train with Atletico for the first time."

Courtois said: "I'm just looking forward to the challenge of playing in La Liga. I know Genk were hoping I would help them defend their title, but I wanted to test myself at the highest possible level.

"There are no guarantees about being first choice at Atletico, but I'm prepared to take the risk and try and prove I'm worth a place.

"If I can get a few games under my belt in Spain, it's going to help my development and make me a better keeper when I return to Stamford Bridge."