Atletico and Chelsea reach agreement for the loan of Courtois
Both clubs have reached an agreement for the transfer of the international goalkeeper for another season. Thibaut has won three titles since arriving in the Ribera del Manzanares and has claimed the Zamora Trophy last season.
Thibaut Courtois will defend the Atletico Madrid goal next season following the agreement reached by our club and Chelsea to play on loan for another year. Thus, the Belgian will be red and white for the third consecutive season.
The international goal keeper came to the Vicente Calderon in August 2011 and made his debut in the UEFA Europa League against Vitoria de Guimaraes. Evolution over the years has led him to no longer be considered a promising player, he’s now seen as one of the best goalkeepers around, winning the Zamora Trophy for the last league season conceding just 30 goals and being instrumental in the conquest of the Copa del Rey for his great performance in the final.
In his two years as Atletico, he has played 98 official matches and has won the Copa del Rey, the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Super Cup. Moreover, Thibaut was one of three finalists for the Golden Boy award for best young player in Europe, he has managed to break the historical records of the club of minutes unbeaten at home and away and has become the first choice goalkeeper, contributing to Belgium being very close to qualifying for the next World Cup.
Courtois: "I am very happy, it's what I wanted"
Courtois was delighted with the agreement reached by the two clubs: "I am very happy because it's what I wanted. I've always said that I wanted to continue next season at Atletico and play a competition as important as the Champions League having managed to qualify for it so brilliantly. I just think about enjoying the amazing fans we have and hopefully we can continue to give them a lot of joy."
The continuity of Thibaut was one of our priorities
For his part, the sporting director Jose Luis Perez Caminero was also highly appreciative of the agreement with Chelsea. "The continuity of Thibaut was one of our priorities for this season. We are very pleased to have him for another year. He has played almost everything and has given us great confidence both of his reflexes and his passing game. He wanted to stay here, so it's a joy for all. It is insurance for us and I believe that he will help us continue to grow."