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LONDON. — English Premiership soccer giants Chelsea have paid Kepa Arrizabalaga’s £72m release clause and he’s on the way to London.

Chelsea yesterday completed the formalities with Athletic Bilbao to sign goalkeeper Kepa.

He will join Chelsea as the most expensive goalkeeper in history and replace Thibaut Courtois, who will join Real Madrid for £35m.

He could even make his debut this weekend when Chelsea face Huddersfield.

Maurizio Sarri spoke about the 23-year-old after Chelsea’s friendly against Lyon on Tuesday night.

“I saw him one year ago,” he said.

“My first impression was that he is a very good goalkeeper, very young, but very, very good.” Chelsea have moved quickly to secure the signings of Kepa after Courtois made it clear he wanted to go.

Courtois was due back in London on Sunday for the Community Shield but went AWOL and missed two days of training this week.

He will now be allowed to leave Chelsea for Madrid, where his two children live.

Courtois expressed a desire to move on during the World Cup, speaking after the third place play off with England. — The Daily Express