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Kepa Arrizabalaga facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
In this Spanish name, the first or paternal family name is Arrizabalaga and the second or maternal family name is Revuelta.
Quick facts for kids
Kepa Arrizabalaga
Kepa Arrizabalaga 2021 (cropped).jpg
Arrizabalaga playing for Chelsea in 2021
Personal information
Date of birth (1994-10-03) 3 October 1994 (age 30)
Place of birth Ondarroa, Spain
Height 1.88 m
Playing position Goalkeeper
Club information
Current club AFC Bournemouth
(on loan from Chelsea)
Number 13
Youth career
2004–2011 Athletic Bilbao
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2011–2013 Basconia 31 (0)
2013–2015 Athletic Bilbao B 50 (0)
2015–2018 Athletic Bilbao 53 (0)
2015 → Ponferradina (loan) 20 (0)
2015–2016 → Valladolid (loan) 39 (0)
2018– Chelsea 109 (0)
2023–2024 → Real Madrid (loan) 14 (0)
2024– → AFC Bournemouth (loan) 15 (0)
National team‡
2012 Spain U18 2 (0)
2012 Spain U19 6 (0)
2013–2017 Spain U21 22 (0)
2017– Spain 13 (0)
Honours
Representing  Spain
UEFA Nations League
Winner 2023 Netherlands
UEFA European Under-21 Championship
Runner-up 2017 Poland
UEFA European Under-19 Championship
Winner 2012 Estonia
  • Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 23:56, 18 January 2025 (UTC).

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 12:15, 29 March 2023 (UTC)

Kepa Arrizabalaga Revuelta (born 3 October 1994), known as Kepa, is a Spanish professional footballer. He plays as a goalkeeper for AFC Bournemouth in England. He is currently on loan from Chelsea. Kepa also plays for the Spain national team.

Kepa started his career with Basconia in 2011. He then joined Athletic Bilbao in 2013. He played on loan for Ponferradina and Real Valladolid between 2015 and 2016. After that, he became a regular player for Bilbao. In 2018, he moved to Chelsea for a record fee for a goalkeeper. At Chelsea, he won the UEFA Europa League, the UEFA Champions League, and the UEFA Super Cup. In 2023, Kepa joined Real Madrid on loan. There, he won La Liga and the Champions League.

Kepa also won the 2012 European Championship with Spain's under-19 team. He first played for the senior national team in 2017. He was part of the squad for the 2018 World Cup.

Kepa's Club Football Journey

Starting at Athletic Bilbao

Kepa was born in Ondarroa, Basque Country, Spain. He joined Athletic Bilbao's youth team when he was ten years old in 2004. He first played for their farm team, Basconia, in January 2012.

In May 2012, Kepa was called up to the main Athletic Bilbao team. He was a substitute for a La Liga match but did not play. He also joined the team for pre-season training.

In January 2013, Kepa moved to Bilbao's reserve team. He played his first game for them in February 2013. He kept a clean sheet (meaning the other team didn't score). He later had some injuries but returned to play regularly.

In January 2015, Kepa was loaned to Segunda División club Ponferradina. He made his professional debut there on January 11.

On 20 July 2015, Kepa went on another loan to Real Valladolid. He played almost every game for them that season.

After his loans, Kepa returned to Athletic Bilbao. He became the third-choice goalkeeper. He made his top-flight debut on 11 September 2016. In January 2018, he extended his contract with the club until 2025.

Playing for Chelsea

First Season and Europa League Win

Liverpool vs. Chelsea, 14 August 2019 37 (cropped)
Kepa playing for Chelsea in the 2019 UEFA Super Cup

On 8 August 2018, Kepa joined Chelsea. He became the world's most expensive goalkeeper at the time. Chelsea paid €80 million (about £71.6 million) for him. He signed a seven-year contract. He replaced Thibaut Courtois, who had moved to Real Madrid.

Kepa played his first Premier League game three days later. Chelsea won 3–0. He helped the team stay unbeaten for 12 league matches.

In January 2019, during an EFL Cup semi-final, Kepa saved a penalty kick. This helped Chelsea win a penalty shootout and reach the final.

In the 2019 EFL Cup Final, there was a misunderstanding. The coach wanted to substitute Kepa for a penalty shootout. Kepa thought he was fine to continue and stayed on the field. Chelsea lost the shootout. Both Kepa and the coach later said it was a mistake. Kepa apologized and was fined.

On 9 May 2019, Kepa saved two penalties in a UEFA Europa League semi-final shootout. This sent Chelsea to the final. Chelsea won the final 4–1 against Arsenal.

Challenges and Champions League Victory

Under a new manager, Kepa had some difficult times. He was sometimes benched for other goalkeepers. He faced criticism from fans.

In September 2020, Chelsea signed Édouard Mendy. Kepa became the second-choice goalkeeper. He made his 100th appearance for Chelsea in January 2021.

Kepa's performance improved under coach Thomas Tuchel. He kept five clean sheets in a row. He was part of the squad that won the 2021 UEFA Champions League Final. Chelsea beat Manchester City 1–0.

Super Cup Win and EFL Cup Final

In the 2021 UEFA Super Cup, Kepa came on as a substitute. He saved two penalties in the shootout. This helped Chelsea win their second Super Cup title. He also became Chelsea's best goalkeeper at saving penalties in shootouts.

In January 2022, Kepa played more often. He helped Chelsea reach the EFL Cup Final. In that final, he came on for the penalty shootout. However, he missed the only penalty and Chelsea lost 11–10 to Liverpool.

Return to Form

In 2022, Graham Potter became Chelsea's new manager. Kepa started playing more often. He had a great run of five clean sheets in a row. He went 10 hours without letting in a goal. He also won three "Man of the Match" awards in a row.

Kepa finished the season with one of the best save percentages in the league. One of his saves in October won the Premier League Save of the Season award.

Loan to Real Madrid

On 14 August 2023, Kepa joined Real Madrid on a one-year loan. He was brought in because their main goalkeeper was injured. Kepa made his debut on 25 August 2023. He kept a clean sheet in a 1–0 win. However, he later lost his starting spot to another goalkeeper.

Loan to AFC Bournemouth

On 29 August 2024, Kepa was loaned to another Premier League club, AFC Bournemouth. He will play for them until the end of the 2024–25 season.

Kepa's International Career

Kepa Arrizabalaga (6) (cropped)
Kepa with Spain U19 in 2012

Kepa played for Spain's under-18s. Then he joined the under-19 team for the 2012 UEFA European Championship. He was the starting goalkeeper. His team won the championship. In the semi-final, he saved two penalties in a shootout against France.

Kepa missed the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup due to an injury. In November 2013, he was called up to the under-21 team.

On 22 March 2017, Kepa was called up to the senior national team. He made his first appearance on 11 November 2017. He played the full game in a 5–0 friendly win against Costa Rica.

Kepa was chosen for Spain's squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. However, he did not play in any matches during the tournament.

How Kepa Plays Football

When he was younger, Kepa was seen as a very promising goalkeeper. He was known for being consistent and quick. He had great reflexes and could make "brilliant saves." Kepa was also good with his feet. He could pass the ball well and rush out of his goal to clear it. This made him a good "sweeper keeper".

Other football experts have praised Kepa. They said he had "good, strong feet" and "good movement." They also noted his "presence and character." He was described as being "good in the air" and able to "catch the ball very well."

After a strong start at Chelsea, Kepa faced some criticism. People said he was inconsistent and made mistakes. He also had a low save percentage. However, he finished his first season strongly, especially during Chelsea's Europa League win.

During his second season at Chelsea, he again faced criticism for his mistakes. He was benched for several matches. He later regained his starting spot. After more mistakes, he was benched again at the end of the season.

In later seasons, Kepa improved under different coaches. He was noted for his good passing skills. He was also praised for his quick reflexes and good decision-making.

Career Statistics

Club Matches

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Basconia 2011–12 Tercera División 12 0 — — — — 12 0
2012–13 Tercera División 19 0 — — — — 19 0
Total 31 0 — — — — 31 0
Athletic Bilbao B 2012–13 Segunda División B 7 0 — — — 0 0 7 0
2013–14 Segunda División B 26 0 — — — — 26 0
2014–15 Segunda División B 17 0 — — — 0 0 17 0
Total 50 0 — — — 0 0 50 0
Ponferradina (loan) 2014–15 Segunda División 20 0 0 0 — — — 20 0
Real Valladolid (loan) 2015–16 Segunda División 39 0 1 0 — — — 40 0
Athletic Bilbao 2016–17 La Liga 23 0 0 0 — 0 0 — 23 0
2017–18 La Liga 30 0 1 0 — 0 0 — 31 0
Total 53 0 1 0 — 0 0 — 54 0
Chelsea 2018–19 Premier League 36 0 1 0 4 0 13 0 — 54 0
2019–20 Premier League 33 0 1 0 0 0 6 0 1 0 41 0
2020–21 Premier League 7 0 6 0 0 0 1 0 — 14 0
2021–22 Premier League 4 0 2 0 6 0 1 0 2 0 15 0
2022–23 Premier League 29 0 1 0 0 0 9 0 — 39 0
Total 109 0 11 0 10 0 30 0 3 0 163 0
Real Madrid (loan) 2023–24 La Liga 14 0 1 0 — 4 0 1 0 20 0
AFC Bournemouth (loan) 2024–25 Premier League 15 0 1 0 — — — 16 0
Career total 331 0 15 0 10 0 34 0 4 0 394 0

International Matches

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Spain 2017 1 0
2018 2 0
2019 7 0
2020 1 0
2023 2 0
Total 13 0

Awards and Trophies

Chelsea

Real Madrid

Spain U19

  • UEFA European Under-19 Championship: 2012

Spain U21

Spain

Individual Awards

  • UEFA Europa League Squad of the Season: 2018–19
  • Premier League Save of the Month: October 2022
  • Premier League Save of the Season: 2022–23

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Kepa Arrizabalaga para niños

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