Chelsea Complete £7.5m Signing of Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez From Aston Villa

Chelsea have officially completed the signing of goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa on a three-year deal, in a transfer worth a reported £7.5 million, a day before the summer window closes.

The 33-year-old Argentina international joins after six years at Villa Park, during which he made 256 appearances, won the UEFA Europa League last season, and established himself as one of the Premier League's leading shot-stoppers. Martinez's exit was set in motion after Villa signed Japan international Zion Suzuki from Parma earlier this month, paving the way for the veteran's departure. He becomes the second player to move between the two clubs this summer, following Nicolas Jackson's switch from Chelsea to Villa on Friday.

"I'm delighted to be at this football club," Martinez said in a statement. "Coming to Chelsea, for me and my family, was an easy decision to make and I'm just over the moon. I want to be successful here. I'm someone who wants to win at everything I do, and I want to bring that here because it's a football club that wins titles, so I think it's a good match."

Martinez arrives with a decorated international career, having won the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina, back-to-back Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024, and twice being named the world's best goalkeeper, picking up successive Yashin Trophies in 2023 and 2024. He also played a key role as Argentina reached the final of the 2026 World Cup before losing to Spain. At Chelsea, he is set to compete directly with Robert Sanchez, whose place had come under scrutiny following a shaky performance in the 3-2 opening-day win over Fulham, giving head coach Xabi Alonso a genuine selection dilemma in goal heading into the new season.