Chelsea signs Argentina’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez from Aston Villa

LONDON (AP) — Chelsea made official the signing of Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez on Sunday.

The English club said the 33-year-old goalkeeper, who won the World Cup in 2022, has signed a three-year deal, joining from Aston Villa.

“Coming to Chelsea, for me and my family, was an easy decision to make and I’m just over the moon. I can’t wait to get started,” Martínez said. “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 football club that wins titles, so I think it’s a good match.”

Martínez immediately took over the starting goalkeeping spot in Xabi Alonso’s team, usurping previous No. 1 Robert Sánchez for Sunday’s match against Brighton at Stamford Bridge.

Sánchez made mistakes leading to goals in Chelsea’s Premier League opener against Fulham on Monday and was widely regarded as the team’s big weakness in its bid to become a title contender this season.

Villa earlier this month signed U.S.-born Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki from Parma, opening the door for Martínez’s departure.

Martínez has been Argentina’s regular starter since 2021, earning 67 caps. He also helped his country win the Copa America in 2021 and 2024, and reach this year’s World Cup final.

Martinez won the Yashin Trophy, awarded to the world’s best-performing goalkeeper, at the 2023 and 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremonies.

He made 256 appearances for Villa across six seasons and won the Europa League in May.

“I’m all passion and I play with my heart. I will give 100% every game, every training session to make the club, my teammates and the supporters proud,” he said.

Martínez started his career in the youth squads of Argentine club Independiente and joined Arsenal in 2010, at age 17. After several loan stints, he became a regular for Arsenal in the 2019-20 season, starting the last 11 matches and winning the FA Cup.

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