Chelsea Confirm £7.5m Signing of Emiliano Martínez From Aston Villa

Chelsea have completed the signing of Argentina international goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez from Aston Villa, bringing the experienced World Cup winner to Stamford Bridge in a move reported to be worth £7.5 million.

The 33-year-old goalkeeper has signed a three-year contract with Chelsea after ending his six-year spell at Aston Villa. The transfer was officially confirmed by Chelsea on Sunday.

Martínez arrives with an impressive record at both club and international level. He was a key member of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning team and has also won two Copa América titles with the national side. His performances have earned him the Yashin Trophy twice, in 2023 and 2024, as well as FIFA’s The Best goalkeeper award on two occasions.

His move to Chelsea follows a major change in the goalkeeping situation at Aston Villa. Villa recently signed Japan international Zion Suzuki, leaving Martínez facing increased competition for the No. 1 position and eventually opening the door for his departure.

Martínez joined Aston Villa from Arsenal in 2020 and went on to make 256 appearances for the club. He became one of the most important players in Villa’s recent rise, helping the club secure Champions League qualification and playing a major role in their Europa League triumph last season.

Chelsea moved quickly for the Argentine after concerns over their goalkeeping department, particularly following criticism of Robert Sánchez’s performances at the beginning of the new campaign. Manager Xabi Alonso identified the position as an area requiring greater experience and competition.

Speaking after completing the move, Martínez said joining Chelsea was an easy decision for him and his family, while making it clear that he wants to compete for trophies with the London club.

“I’m delighted to be at this football club,” Martínez said. “I really 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.”

His arrival gives Chelsea an experienced goalkeeper with proven success at the highest level and adds another strong option between the posts as Alonso continues to reshape the squad.

For Martínez, the move represents the next chapter of a career that has taken him from being a largely understudied goalkeeper at Arsenal to becoming a World Cup winner and one of the most recognisable goalkeepers in world football.