Chelsea confirm €35m Courtois sale to Real Madrid as Kovacic moves to London

The goalkeeper had been unsettled at Stamford Bridge and will now return to the Spanish capital, with a World Cup finalist moving the other way

Chelsea have confirmed the sale of Thibaut Courtois to Real Madrid, with Mateo Kovacic coming to Stamford Bridge as part of the deal.

Courtois has been at the west London club since 2011, and wrested the No. 1 jersey from club favourite Petr Cech after shining during a loan spell with Atletico Madrid as a youngster.

In recent months, however, the Belgian has become increasingly unsettled, going so far as to skip training, while he has long been linked with a return to the Spanish capital where he spent three sparkling seasons.

The Belgium international has moved from Chelsea to Madrid, sparking contrasting views from football fans

As expected, the world has been reacting to the news of Thibaut Courtois’ move from Chelsea to Real Madrid.

The reigning European champions forked out €35m (£31m/$40m) plus a season-long loan move for Mateo Kovacic to Stamford Bridge.

Courtois, who has been with the Roman Army since 2011 was named best goalkeeper at the 2018 Fifa World Cup Russia.