Chelsea sign goalkeeper Martinez from Villa on 3-year deal

Chelsea has signed goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa on a three-year contract, the London club announced on Sunday. The 33-year-old Argentine's exit follows Aston Villa's recent signing of Japan's Zion Suzuki from Parma, which cleared the way for Martinez's departure after six seasons at Villa Park. The financial terms of the transfer were not disclosed, but British media sources reported that Chelsea paid roughly £7.5 million (approximately $10.15 million) for the player.

In a statement, Martinez expressed his desire to succeed at Chelsea, stating, "I want to be successful here. I'm someone who wants to win at everything I do, and I want to bring that here to this football club because it's a club that wins titles, so I think it's a good match." Martinez's six-year tenure at Villa Park saw him make 256 appearances and become one of the Premier League's top goalkeepers.

He played a crucial role in Villa's fourth-place finish in the 2023-24 season, securing their qualification for the Champions League and their Europa League triumph.

At Chelsea, Martinez will compete with Robert Sanchez for the starting goalkeeper position. Sanchez joined the club from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2023 and has since become the team's first-choice keeper, though recent errors in a match against Fulham have sparked discussions about his place in the lineup. Martinez has also been instrumental in Argentina's international success, helping the team win the 2022 FIFA World Cup and finish as runners-up in 2026. He was a key player in Argentina's Copa America victories in 2021 and 2024.

This signing marks another significant departure for Villa during a busy transfer window. Morgan Rogers joined Chelsea in a British record fee transfer, while Youri Tielemans moved to Manchester United. Additionally, stars like Jadon Sancho, Douglas Luiz, and Lucas Digne have left the club.