Chelsea sign Argentinian goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa

Argentina’s World Cup 2022-winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has joined Chelsea from fellow Premier League outfit Aston Villa, the London-based club announced.

“I’m all passion, and I play with my heart. I will give 100 percent every game, every training session to make the club, my teammates, and the supporters proud,” Martinez said in a statement published on Chelsea’s website on Sunday.

The 33-year-old has signed a three-year contract with Chelsea, following a deal worth £7.5 million (£10 million), according to British media.

Martinez returns to London, where he began his professional career with Arsenal, though he never established himself as a first-team regular there.

Following a series of loan spells away from the Emirates Stadium, Martinez joined Villa in 2020 and went on to make over 250 appearances.

He was a key player in Unai Emery’s Europa League-winning squad last season.

With the arrival of the flamboyant shot-stopper, new manager Xabi Alonso will hope he has finally found the solution to Chelsea’s difficulties in that position in recent years.

Robert Sanchez, the current custodian of Chelsea’s No. 1 goalkeeper’s shirt, once again came under criticism following a 3-2 victory over local rivals Fulham to open their Premier League campaign on Monday.