Kepa Arrizabalaga turned down Bayern Munich for Real Madrid move

The 28-year-old goalkeeper, whose loan signing from Chelsea was officially confirmed by Real Madrid on Monday, expressed his delight and determination to make an impact during his unveiling on Tuesday.

Kepa made it clear to reporters on Tuesday that Real Madrid's legacy as the 'Kings of the Champions League' resonates with him. "I'm arriving at this juncture in my career with a heightened sense of maturity and confidence, following a stellar year. I'm fully prepared to take on this challenge, and I can assure unwavering commitment and hard work," Kepa confidently affirmed.

This unexpected move transpired due to Thibaut Courtois' unfortunate anterior cruciate ligament injury last week. Consequently, Real Madrid swiftly sought a replacement and orchestrated a loan agreement with Chelsea.

Kepa reminisced about a near-miss opportunity to join Real Madrid five years ago, prior to his tenure with Chelsea. Reflecting on his growth as a player, he stated, "I've evolved substantially and stand at one of the pinnacle phases of my career."

When quizzed about the Bayern Munich negotiations that were in progress before Real Madrid's intervention, Kepa shed light on his decision-making process. "These past few days have been incredibly intense. However, once Madrid's proposal reached me, my path became unequivocally clear," Kepa recounted.

Eager to embrace his role at the Santiago Bernabeu, Kepa articulated that deliberating between Bayern Munich and the Spanish capital was not a lingering consideration.

"The decision was a straightforward one. While I had enticing offers from other esteemed clubs, the moment Real Madrid's option materialised, everything rapidly fell into place," Kepa candidly communicated to the assembled press.

READ MORE: Bayern Munich increase asking price for Manchester United target Benjamin Pavard