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Chelsea announced the signing of Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa on a three-year contract on Sunday. The 33-year-old joins ahead of the transfer deadline to bolster the West London club under its new manager Xabi Alonso. Qatar News Agency reported the details of the move which sees Martinez depart Villa Park after a successful spell. The acquisition forms part of ongoing adjustments to the Chelsea goalkeeping unit this summer.
Martinez made 256 appearances during his six seasons at Aston Villa according to the Qatar News Agency report. His tenure culminated with a UEFA Europa League title victory in May as the club achieved European success. Opta Analyst statistics show he logged more than 18,850 minutes across competitions while establishing himself among the Premier League’s top goalkeepers. The shot-stopper kept a club-record number of clean sheets in his debut Premier League season with the Midlands side.
Since his senior international debut for Argentina in June 2021 Martinez has collected 67 caps the Qatar News Agency report indicated. He anchored the defense during triumphs at the 2021 and 2024 Copa America tournaments in addition to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Transfermarkt data lists further individual honors including three consecutive World’s Best Goalkeeper awards between 2023 and 2025. The goalkeeper also featured in the 2026 World Cup where Argentina finished as runners-up.
The transfer was agreed for a fee of £7.5 million according to reporting by The Athletic. The Guardian reported that Martinez said coming to Chelsea for him and his family was an easy decision to make. This completes a move that had been speculated upon in recent weeks as Aston Villa brought in new competition for the position. Chelsea had targeted an experienced option to compete with existing squad members.
Chelsea has experienced significant transition in its goalkeeping department this summer BBC Sport reported in June. Young talents including Mike Penders have been integrated while several backup options have been allowed to depart. The addition of Martinez provides a proven international performer with Premier League familiarity. Football London had identified the Argentine as a strong candidate to address the position ahead of the deadline.
Prior to his 2020 move to Aston Villa in a transfer valued at £20 million by Transfermarkt Martinez won three FA Cups during his time at Arsenal. Those domestic successes laid the groundwork for his later international breakthroughs with Argentina. The experienced goalkeeper brings leadership qualities developed across more than 350 senior appearances in his career. His arrival coincides with Chelsea’s preparations for the new Premier League season under Alonso.
