Chelsea CONFIRM transfer of Robert Sanchez in £25million deal and hand Brighton goalkeeper HUGE contract
CHELSEA have confirmed the signing of Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
The deal is worth £25million, with £5million coming in add-ons, and he has signed a whopping SEVEN-YEAR contract at the Blues.
Sanchez joins having come through the ranks at Brighton, ending a 10-year stay there.
The 23-year-old had loan spells with Forest Green Rovers and Rochdale before becoming the Seagulls No1.
He played 90 times for the club across three seasons.
Sanchez was made their first-choice keeper by ex-Chelsea boss Graham Potter.
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However, he lost his place after a drop in form under Roberto De Zerbi and was replaced by Jason Steele for the second half of last season.
Sanchez has been capped twice by the Spanish national team.
He arrives at Chelsea to compete with Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The Blues needed a new goalkeeper after selling Edouard Mendy to Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ahli.
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On the transfer of Sanchez, co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart : ‘We’re very pleased to welcome Robert to Chelsea and he adds further quality to our goalkeeping unit.
"Robert has repeatedly proved himself in the Premier League and been capped by his country.
"We are excited to watch him work with Mauricio [Pochettino] and his coaching team during the season ahead."
He becomes Chelsea's seventh signing of the summer, taking their spending up to a reported £164m.
Pochettino has already added Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson to his attack.
Lesley Ugochukwu has joined from Rennes to bolster the midfield and defender Axel Disasi has signed from Monaco.
Youngsters Angelo and Diego Moreira have also joined.
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